While no specific date has yet been announced for the return of negotiators to the negotiating table in Vienna, despite confirmation from multiple diplomatic sources that it is imminent, U.S. envoy for Iran Robert Malley stated today, Saturday, that the return is very close. He revealed that the U.S. administration does not intend to lift all sanctions on Tehran, although several of them are understood to be lifted.
In an interview with MSNBC, he clarified that some sanctions previously imposed on Tehran are not related to the nuclear agreement but to its behavior, referring to its support for militias in the region.
Regarding the return to Vienna next week, he mentioned that negotiators will return without specifying a particular day, adding, "This indicates that the U.S. administration and the other negotiators believe that the agreement has not turned completely into a lifeless corpse." If an agreement is not reached, he indicated that alternative methods for addressing Tehran's nuclear program would need to be considered.
Concerning the relationship with Israel, which has strongly opposed and continues to oppose opening negotiations with Iranian authorities, Malley confirmed that Washington is working closely with Tel Aviv on the Iranian nuclear issue, despite some differences of opinion. It is noteworthy that European spokesperson Peter Stano announced on Thursday that negotiations on the nuclear file would resume in the Austrian capital within days, without specifying a particular day.
**"Sticking Points"**
Tehran announced earlier this week that there are some sticking points that have slowed progress at the negotiating table. Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, Saeed Khatibzadeh, stated during a press conference last Monday that discussions have seen "significant progress" over the past three weeks. However, he pointed out that what he described as the other side's inaction has slowed progress in certain aspects, urging for "accelerating the pace and presenting initiatives." He added, "If the other side does not demand anything outside the nuclear agreement, an understanding can be quickly reached."
**"Right Decisions"**
Additionally, he urged Western delegations to return to Vienna with the right decisions. He said Washington needs to make the necessary decisions to expedite reaching a sustainable and trustworthy agreement.
It is worth mentioning that the United States, in addition to Western diplomats involved in the negotiations, which began their eighth round in December 2021, had repeatedly warned Tehran about the dwindling time. They also emphasized that the coming few weeks would be crucial in reviving the agreement from which the previous U.S. administration under Donald Trump withdrew in 2018.
They explained that mid-next month (February 2022) might be the deadline to attempt reviving the agreement that constrained Iran's nuclear program in exchange for easing sanctions on Tehran. However, Iranian authorities still cling to certain conditions that pose significant obstacles to reaching a resolution, including demands for guarantees against the U.S. withdrawing from any new agreement as well as lifting all sanctions imposed on them, particularly those related to terrorism.
