The Financial Times reported that the European Union is making a final attempt to save the Iran nuclear deal and end the deadlock. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told the newspaper that he is seeking a "compromise" to resolve the crisis that threatens to undermine over a year of European diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement. The Financial Times noted that the agreement would lead to the United States rejoining the 2015 deal and lifting sanctions imposed on Iran in exchange for Tehran significantly reducing its nuclear activities.
**U.S. Position**
The U.S. State Department stated that the United States is now equally preparing for both a scenario in which there is a simultaneous return to compliance with the nuclear agreement with Iran and one where there is no agreement. State Department spokesperson Ned Price mentioned earlier: "Given that a mutual return to compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is a highly uncertain proposition, we are preparing for either outcome equally."
White House spokesperson Jen Psaki stated that the White House is concerned about the prospect of Iran developing a nuclear weapon within weeks. Psaki added: "Yes, this certainly concerns us," noting that the time Iran needs to produce a nuclear weapon has decreased over the past year.
Over a year ago, Iran and the powers involved in the 2015 agreement (France, Britain, Germany, Russia, and China) began indirect talks in Vienna that included the United States, which withdrew from the deal in 2018 under former President Donald Trump. The negotiations, coordinated by the European Union, aim to bring Washington back into the agreement and lift the sanctions that were imposed on Tehran after the U.S. withdrawal, in exchange for Iran returning to its commitments that it had reduced following the U.S. move.
