Iran nuclear deal at 'final stage' of discussions to resume

After many rounds of negotiations between world powers and Iran over the nuclear deal, no breakthrough has been reached so far. The delegations of both sides are returning to Vienna for what would be the last round of discussions over the nuclear deal.

The diplomats of world powers and of Iran are set to return to Vienna for what may be the final round of discussions in an effort to revive the 2015 nuclear deal. This would mark the eighth round of discussions, which were paused for a week to allow diplomats to return to their countries for political consultations, which will resume Tuesday in Vienna.

Although there has been some progress, according to several sides, since the talks restarted in November 2021, the latest round of discussions that will take place this week indicates that there are aspects that need to be negotiated on. To this day, Tehran still refuses to speak with the US government when, under Donald Trump, withdrew from the deal in 2018 and instead imposed severe sanctions.

European officials will continue to negotiate on behalf of Washington.

Iranian officials said Monday that it would be up to Western officials to fulfill Tehran’s expectations of receiving sanctions relief. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Abdollahian said during a joint press conference that an agreement in Vienna would depend on the conduct and political will shown by the US and the E3 - the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

Abdollahian said that parts of their demands in sanctions relief have not been reached from the latest texts from the discussions. Nevertheless, Abdollahian expressed hope that all parties would come to an agreement in the final round of talks.

Washington has already announced that the sanctions on Iran would be lifted, however, according to Abdollahian, Iran demands a guarantee that the US will not back out from the nuclear deal again.

“The lifting of some sanctions can, in the true sense of the word, translate into their goodwill. Americans talk about it, but it should be known that what happens on paper is good but not enough,” said Abdollahian, according to Iranian media outlet ISNA.

“We seek and demand guarantees in the political, legal, and economic sectors,” Abdollahian added.