Why in news?
Recently efforts are taken to revive Iran nuclear deal which has raised hopes after the unilateral termination by the U.S.
What are the details about the talks?
- The talks are held in Vienna with the remaining members of the Iran nuclear deal — China, Russia, U.K., France, Germany and Iran.
- The European and Iranian diplomats said efforts to revive the deal are on the right track.
- Though the American delegation participated in Vienna, they did not held direct talks with Iran.
- The aim of the talks is to produce a road map for the revival of the JCPOA by addressing two critical issues — Iran’s nuclear enhanced programme and American sanctions.
What was the demand of U.S on Iran?
- The U.S. wants Iran to end its uranium enrichment and centrifuge development programmes and return to the 2015 agreement.
- It has displayed flexibility in its approach towards Iran and has appointed a special envoy.
- It has ended the U.S.’s support for Saudi Arabia’s war against the Houthis- Iran-backed militants- in Yemen and promised to lift sanctions if Iran returns to JCPOA terms.
- It also made an offer to Iran to release $1 billion of Iranian money frozen in South Korea as part of the sanctions in exchange for ending its 20% uranium enrichment.
- But Iran has demanded the U.S. lift all sanctions imposed by erstwhile President which is still in enforcement.
What are the challenges in taking forward the talks?
- Iran has rejected the offer now seeking more concrete measures from the U.S.
- Both the countries are facing time constraints in resuming the deal as Iran holds its presidential polls in June.
- If U.S.’s wants to revive Iran’s nuclear programme, it can do so by reviving the agreement before the Iran’s presidential election.
- There are external dangers as well:
- Iran-backed Shia militias in Iraq continue to target U.S. forces and bases in Iraq.
- The Israel-Iran shadow conflict is now being fought inside Syria and on the seas.
- Earlier, an Iranian ship was attacked in the Red Sea and if security tensions rise in the region, it could derail the diplomatic efforts.
- Both U.S. and Iran should exercise restraint, stay focused on talks and rebuild the lost trust.
- They must take measures to get the deal back on track that would resolve the nuclear crisis in return for dismantling the sanctions regime.
Source: The Hindu
