InfoSearched
Published -
- July 28, 2019
- 10:26 pm
An emergency meeting was held in Vienna
It was in an effort to save the Iran nuclear deal as Iran continues to provoke the west with aggressive actions in the Gulf. Roxana Saberi reports.
What are the major challenges facing negotiations to revive the JCPOA, and why have they arisen?
Leaders from around the world convened in Vienna on June 20th, 2021 for the resumption of talks aimed at salvaging the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The deal was struck between Iran, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and China, with the aim of curbing Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. However, the US under the Trump administration withdrew from the agreement in 2018, citing concerns over Iran’s support for terror groups and its ballistic missile program.
The current negotiations seek to revive the JCPOA through the lifting of sanctions on Iran, which have severely impacted the Iranian economy over the past few years. This has led to a decline in oil exports and exacerbated inflation, making basic necessities like food and medicine unaffordable for ordinary citizens.
The talks have been complicated by recent events such as the election of a new Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, who is considered a hardliner in Tehran’s political circles. Additionally, Iran has been producing uranium at levels exceeding the limits imposed by the JCPOA, and insists that all sanctions be lifted as a precondition to returning to compliance with the deal. However, the US has been reluctant to lift all sanctions, and seeks to address Iran’s other concerning activities such as its support for militia groups in the Middle East.
Despite the challenges, the Vienna talks have been characterized as constructive and productive, with all parties demonstrating a willingness to compromise in order to reach a solution. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed optimism, stating that “the talks have entered a new phase of serious work,” and that “there are still serious disagreements but there is also an understanding of the fact that there is no other way except to reach an agreement.”
The involvement of the US in the talks has been a welcome development by its European allies, who have played a mediatory role between Iran and the US. Previously, the US was not directly involved in talks with Iran, and significant progress was made in its absence. However, the current US administration, under President Joe Biden, has expressed a desire to re-enter the deal, and has sent a delegation to Vienna in a show of sincerity.
The success of the Vienna talks will have significant implications for the region and the global community at large. A failure to reach an agreement could result in Iran expanding its nuclear capabilities and further destabilizing the Middle East. Conversely, a successful negotiation would improve relations between Iran and the international community, potentially leading to a reduction in regional conflicts and economic growth for Iran.
Overall, the resumption of negotiations in Vienna marks an important step towards the revival of the JCPOA, and provides hope for a peaceful resolution to one of the world’s most pressing concerns.
