JCPOA talks ‘almost out of runway’ as Iran ‘slow-walks’ negotiations

In a downbeat presentation to the United Nations Security Council, 14 December, US representative to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that while the United States is ‘fully prepared to lift sanctions inconsistent with [its] JCPOA commitments which would allow Iran to receive the economic benefits of the deal’ it cannot ‘allow Iran to accelerate its nuclear programme and slow-walk its nuclear diplomacy.’

This, she said, she was ‘sorry to report is exactly what appears to be happening at JCPOA talks in Vienna.’

‘Iran greeted the resumption of talks with new nuclear provocations and proceeded to stake out vague, unrealistic, maximalist, and unconstructive positions on both nuclear and sanctions issues in the talks. We made substantial progress over six rounds of talks this Spring, with all sides making difficult decisions. As all members of the P5+1 agree, the outcome of these negotiations is the only possible basis upon which to reach a conclusion. But now, Iran is seeking to reopen these compromises,’ said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, adding, ‘The simple truth is…Iran is almost out of runway. There is a little time left, but Iran’s continued nuclear advancements and their lack of urgency in the talks are hollowing out the non-proliferation benefits that would be achieved by a mutual return to full JCPOA compliance.’

‘Iran’s actions will not provide Iran with any leverage in negotiations and only intensify our concerns with Iran’s activities’, she said, also reminding UN member states that, ‘Restrictions remain in place on transfers to and from Iran of certain ballistic missile and nuclear technology, and individuals and entities on the 2231 list remain subject to an asset freeze.’