A senior U.S. State Department official said on Monday that the indirect talks between the United States and Iran regarding a return to the 2015 nuclear agreement are entering the "final phase" in the coming weeks, as all parties need to make tough political decisions. The official, who spoke to reporters via phone during a break in the talks in Vienna, noted that Iran might choose not to comply with the agreement, and that Washington is prepared to deal with this possibility.
It is time for a political decision
He added, "It is time for a political decision, which is why negotiators have returned to their capitals," emphasizing that Washington is ready for any outcome if Tehran does not adhere to the agreement. He pointed out that French President Emmanuel Macron informed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi of the necessity to return to the agreement, highlighting that the Vienna negotiations are complex.
Releasing hostages is a priority
The official stressed that the release of detained hostages is a priority for the United States, asserting that returning to the 2015 agreement would not be worthwhile if Iran delays. It is noteworthy that the United States, along with Western diplomats involved in the negotiations, which entered their eighth round in December 2021, had repeatedly warned Tehran that time is running out. They confirmed that the coming weeks will be critical for reviving the agreement from which the previous U.S. administration under Donald Trump withdrew in 2018.
Two weeks to decide
They explained that mid-February 2022 could be the deadline for attempting to revive the agreement that limited Iran's nuclear program in exchange for easing sanctions on Tehran. However, Iranian authorities still cling to some conditions that represent a significant obstacle to reaching a solution, including a demand for guarantees that the U.S. administration will not withdraw from any new agreement made, as well as lifting all sanctions imposed on it, particularly those related to terrorism.
