A sixth round of talks in Vienna between Iran and several global actors is resuming this week in an effort to bring Iran and the JCPOA countries to an agreement on nuclear issues. Iran has expressed its desire to reach an agreement as soon as possible but several obstacles still exist according to Iranian sources.
JCPOA countries are still concerned about Iran's dealings with nuclear issues. A detailed agreement could take several months to negotiate. Nonetheless, there is a will to reach an initial agreement that could be agreed as early as next week.
The European Union envoy, Enrique Mora, who is acting on behalf of the EU as the chief co-ordinator of the talks, said last week that he believed a deal would be reached at the upcoming sixth round of negotiations in Vienna. The UK, France and Germany were, however, more cautious about progress.
Abbas Aragchi, the chief Iranian negotiator, says that the barriers to the revival of the deal are complicated but not insurmountable. Whether a deal is reached or not, more talks would be needed on sequencing – the delicate job of allocating tasks and deadlines.
Iran also has presidential elections in the coming days. The election is not likely to change the state's stance on the negotiations because any agreement will have to be approved by Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
source: commonspace.eu with Reuters (London) and other agencies.
picture: European Union envoy Enrique Mora speaking to press outside of the Vienna hotel where talks are being held. (Twitter: @StLiechtenstein).
