EU Proposes Significant Concession to Iran to Revive Nuclear Deal
In order to break a deadlock in talks over the Iran nuclear accord, EU diplomats have reportedly proposed a significant new concession to Tehran aimed at ending a UN investigation into Iran's atomic program.
Facts
- In order to break a deadlock in talks over the Iran nuclear accord, EU diplomats have reportedly proposed a significant new concession to Tehran aimed at ending a UN investigation into Iran's atomic program.
- Seventeen months after the US and Iran began negotiating a possible return to the 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by former Pres. Trump in 2018, the EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell Fontelles, put forward a "final" proposal for the two sides to consider to prevent to the collapse of talks.
- The controversy regards an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards probe into several Iranian nuclear sites, where the UN agency found man-made nuclear particles several years ago. Iran has demanded that the investigation be closed for the agreement to be restored.
- The EU has told Iran and the other parties involved that it wants a "yes or no" response to the proposal by Aug. 15. The US State Dept. is reviewing the EU proposal but Russia's chief negotiator said Thurs. that it isn't for the EU to lay down ultimatums in the talks.
- On Fri., the Iranian state news agency quoted an unidentified Iranian diplomat who said the EU proposal could be acceptable to Tehran if they provided Iran with assurance on the issues of safeguards, sanctions, and guarantees.
Sources: Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Al Jazeera, and voa.
Narratives
- Narrative A, as provided by Wall Street Journal. The revival of the 2015 nuclear pact is a key foreign-policy goal for the Biden administration. However, Washington wants to see the IAEA investigation resolved, and the only way for that to happen is for Iran to provide the agency with the critical information they need.
- Narrative B, as provided by NY Times. It's in the interest of all stakeholders that the Iranian nuclear deal can be reached. A deal would bring Iranian oil back to the global economy, burdened by high energy prices. Tehran, in its turn, would want the removal of constricting sanctions, finally re-engaging Iran within the international community.
