The nuclear deal with Iran is being negotiated again in Vienna. There are some hurdles in the way of a solution.
Vienna – Talks about rescuing the 2015 nuclear deal continue. After an approximately five-month break, representatives from Germany, France, Great Britain, Russia, China and Iran gathered in Vienna. The US is again not allowed to come to the negotiating table.
The aim of the nuclear agreement is to restrict Iran in the development of nuclear weapons. The United States left the pact in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump and revived sanctions that seriously damaged the Iranian economy. As a result, Iran expanded its nuclear facilities again, produced uranium that was almost weapons-grade, and restricted international inspections. The current discussions should lead the partners back together.
Nuclear deal: new president in power in Iran
Before talks were paused in June, negotiators had moved closer to a solution to persuade the US to lift sanctions and Iran to reintroduce restrictions on its nuclear program. While Hassan Ruhani, who was considered pragmatic, was still in power at the time, the ultra-conservative Ebrahim Raisi has now been elected President in Ian.
To what extent the change will affect the negotiations, which should start on Monday (29.11.2021) at 2 p.m., remains to be seen. So far, the Iranian diplomats have kept a low profile: “We are well prepared and very determined in the new round of negotiations and will consistently enforce our demands for the lifting of the sanctions,” said the chief negotiator of Iran before the talks on Monday.
Nuclear deal with Iran: Israel speaks of blackmail
However, the government in Tehran does not want to enter into direct negotiations with the USA. The special envoy for Iran under Joe Biden, Rob Malley, therefore only participates indirectly in the talks.
Meanwhile, a clear message to the interlocutors came from Israel. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called on allies around the world to “not give in to Iranian blackmail.” Iran and Israel share a strong hostility. Politicians from Tehran repeatedly speak out in favor of the destruction of the “Zionist regime”. (vbu / dpa / afp)
