Vienna Game restarts – JCPOA talks recommence
The parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action – JCPOA or ‘nuclear deal’ with Iran – have recommenced discussions in Vienna, with the United States absent but closely observing/participating through EU intermediaries. While JCPOA watchers initially downplayed chances of success, signals following the 29 November talks appear to have been upbeat, though no concrete details have emerged.
Enrique Mora, chairing the talks, is reported to have said: ‘I feel positive that we can be doing important things for the next weeks,’ while in a statement immediately following the first session, Iranian foreign minister, Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that the Islamic Republic of Iran, ‘In spite of significant non-performance by the West in the JCPOA, is once again ready, in good faith, for result-oriented negotiations to achieve a “good deal” with P4+1. The Islamic Republic of Iran has “good faith”, serious determination, and the necessary will to reach a good deal in Vienna.’
He said that the main objective of the upcoming talks should be ‘the full and effective implementation of the JCPOA and the pursuit of the goal of normalization of trade relations and economic cooperation with Iran,’ adding, ‘It goes without saying that in order to return to the JCPOA, Iran should benefit fully from the lifting of all the sanctions. Iran is prepared to cease application of all its remedial measures if guarantees are provided, damages are assessed, and all sanctions are effectively and verifiably lifted.’
Amir-Abdollahian said that were the US to return to the deal, it ‘would not be meaningful unless guarantees are presented to prevent the recurrence of the bitter experience of the past,’ adding that Iran would not be ‘accepting requests beyond the JCPOA’; i.e., that non-nuclear related issues could not constitute part of any deal.
Meanwhile, the United States – which though absent from the negotiations is the key member of the original ‘P5+1’ and architect of the deal that it withdrew from – has mostly remained tight-lipped about its own position. But in comments to press following the first day of talks, a US State Department official told reporters: ‘It’s no secret that sanctions relief issues have been a priority for Iran throughout the entire negotiation process, but we won’t negotiate in the press or comment on specific claims about those negotiations. The precise nature and sequence of the sanctions-related steps that the U.S. would need to take to achieve a mutual return to compliance with the JCPOA is a subject of the talks. A mutual return to compliance with the JCPOA is the best option to restrict Iran’s nuclear program and also provide a platform to address its destabilizing conduct. And, of course, if Iran demands more or happens to offer less, these negotiations will not succeed.’
