Iran Nuclear Deal Talks to Resume Thursday in Vienna

The US has accused Iran of not taking the talks seriously, Iran blames the lack of progress on the US reluctance to lift sanctions

Indirect negotiations between the US and Iran to revive the nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, will resume in Vienna on Thursday, Iranian media reported on Tuesday.

Tasnim news agency said Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran’s top negotiator, finalized the date with EU coordinator Enrique Mora. “We will continue the talks on Thursday … and await practical steps by the West,” Bagheri Kani was quoted as saying by Iran’s IRNA.

Last week, the seventh round of Vienna talks was held after a long pause. Earlier rounds that lasted from April and June were conducted by Iran’s previous government.

Last week’s talks concluded on Friday, and the US blamed the lack of progress on Iran. US officials accused the Iranian of not taking the negotiations seriously. The US and other Western powers want Iran to agree to a draft deal reached during earlier negotiations. But Iran’s new government wants more sanctions relief, which is a reasonable request.

Iran said the lack of progress up to Washington’s reluctance to lift sanctions. On Tuesday, the US slapped new sanctions on Iranian entities and officials, a sign that the US is trying to sabotage the chance at diplomacy with Iran.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.