Beginning Tuesday in Vienna, the P5+1 are starting a particularly important new round of nuclear talks with Iran, this time focusing on drafting a “grand compromise” that will be the basis for a final settlement.
The State Department insists they are “absolutely comfortable” with starting work on the draft deal, saying they think it is at least possible for a deal to be finalized by July 20, when the interim pact expires.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) say that Iran has been “ahead of schedule” in implementing the interim deal, and has been cooperating closely with them on answering questions.
Israel has been loudly opposing the idea of a final nuclear deal, and lobbying Congress to block any US involvement in any pact. The Obama Administration has tried to calm this lobbying by downplaying the chances of a deal.
