European diplomats expressed disappointment and concern after this week’s nuclear talks with Iran in Vienna. Iran’s proposal is not constructive, according to the United States.
The distance has increased with Iran’s new proposal, and it is unclear how it can be reduced in a realistic time frame, according to diplomats from the so-called E3 group – the UK, France and Germany.
“Tehran is back on almost all the tough compromises made after months of hard work,” they said late Friday.
Iranian news agencies have previously reported that Iran has put forward two proposals for changes, and these are being considered by European diplomats.
Continued
Both Iranian and European sources predict that negotiations will resume next week. According to Iranian news agencies, there may be a meeting on Monday, but according to France, there may be a longer lull.
European sources stated that the negotiating delegation will return home this weekend to receive new instructions, before the parties meet for fresh negotiations next week to see if the distance can be reduced.
Earlier this year, there were six rounds of negotiations aimed at reviving the nuclear deal from 2015. The new round kicked off on Monday, the first since ultra-conservative Ebrahim Raisi took over as president.
– The new Iranian government did not come to Vienna with a constructive proposal, White House press manager Jen Psaki said on Friday.
– Iran’s approach this week is unfortunately not an attempt to solve the remaining challenges, he said.
In addition to the European trio and Iran, China and Russia also took part. The United States participates indirectly.
United States withdraw
The nuclear deal was signed between Iran, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia in 2015. In 2018, the Trump administration withdrew the United States from the agreement and reimposed broad economic sanctions on Iran.
The Iranian delegation this week called on the United States to release $10 billion in frozen funds to show goodwill in negotiations.
President Joe Biden’s press chief said on Friday that Donald Trump’s decision led to a dramatic expansion of Iran’s unparalleled nuclear program.
The deal was to provide assurances to the world that Iran would not use its nuclear program to develop nuclear weapons. Iran insists that its nuclear program has only peaceful purposes.
(©NTB)
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