The results of the talks on Iran’s nuclear file appear to be near

The European Union (EU) announced on Tuesday, August 16, that it was examining Iran’s response to a compromise on the nuclear file, a crucial step that would mark the entry into the final stretch of months of difficult negotiations.

The talks between Iran and the major powers, which began in April 2021 in Vienna, aim to revive the 2015 international agreement, known by its English acronym JCPOA, which guarantees the civilian nature of Iran’s nuclear program. Denials.

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compromise”final» Allows the US to return to a deal proposed by the European Union, from which it unilaterally withdrew in 2018, lifting US economic sanctions on Iran, provided the country respects its obligations and exceeds prescribed limits on enrichment and others. Sensitive nuclear activities. “We received the Iranian response yesterday (Monday) evening. We are studying it and consulting with other JCPOA participants and the United States on the way forward.“, a spokesman for Joseph Borel, head of European diplomacy and aide to indirect talks in Vienna between Iran and the US, told AFP. Earlier, Iran announced that it had conveyed its final comments to the EU and expected a quick response.”Iran provided a written response“and determines a possible contract”If America behaves with realism and flexibility“, the Iranian official agency IRNA pointed out. According to the Iranian agency Isna, “An informed source“, Tehran”It expects to receive a response from the other party within the next couple of days“.

“take it or leave it”

The JCPOA, concluded between Iran on one side and the United States, Great Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia on the other, was torpedoed by the US withdrawal in 2018. Iran is stifling the economy. In response, Iran gradually released itself from its obligations mandated by the agreement. After chaotic negotiations, suspended twice, on August 8 the EU proposed a final compromise text “Take it or leave it“. During these negotiations, the European Union acted as an intermediary between the United States and Iran, which have not had diplomatic relations since 1980. According to IRNA, “The differences relate to three points. The US has verbally expressed flexibility on two of them, but this should be put into text“, added Irna without further details. “The third point concerns the guarantee of a durable contractIran demanded in the US, he added.

Neither party referred to the pending issues. According to a European official, if Iran’s demand to withdraw from the US blacklist of Iran’s ideological army, the Revolutionary Guards, is no longer in order, the deal’s lasting guarantees remain at Tehran’s and Iranian demand. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has closed the issue of undeclared sites in Iran where traces of enriched uranium have been found.

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To Mohammad Marandi, adviser to Iran’s negotiating team in Vienna, “Solving outstanding issues is not difficult. They are linked to fears about Iran due to past US and EU violations.“. “I cannot say with certainty that we will reach an agreement, but we are closer to it than ever“, he added in a tweet. On Monday, the US State Department declined to say whether the US was ready to approve the proposal submitted by the EU, saying Washington would take “Contact Josep Borrell“. “Negotiable was negotiatedHe reaffirmed the US position that the ball is in Tehran’s court. “The only way to achieve a mutual return to the JCPOA (…) is for Iran to drop unacceptable demands beyond the JCPOA.A U.S. spokesman declined to comment on the possibility of lifting U.S. sanctions in the event of an Iranian green light for a compromise by the European Union.

Also see – Why should Iran not have nuclear weapons?