Iran nuclear talks restart in Vienna with time running low

Diplomats from Iran and world powers have reconvened in Vienna to seek a deal reviving Tehran’s 2015 nuclear accord, with pressure mounting for results soon.

Negotiators from Iran and the remaining parties to the agreement — Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China — are back to work after a break of a little over a week to return to their capitals for consultations.

A general view of Palais Coburg, the site of a meeting where closed-door nuclear talks with Iran take place in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. (AP/Lisa Leutner)

The United States has participated indirectly in the talks because it withdrew from the accord in 2018 under then President Donald Trump. US President Joe Biden has signaled that he wants to rejoin the deal.

Officials say that the talks are reaching their final stage, though it’s unclear how long that might take.

The three Western European participants have been warning for a while that time is running out for a successful conclusion of the talks.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian says talks are “currently at a crucial juncture” and that all involved “should enhance the sense of urgency.”

“As the culprit in the Iranian nuclear crisis, the US should thoroughly correct its wrong policy of maximum pressure on Iran and lift all illegal sanctions on Iran and third parties,” Zhao said. “On this basis, the Iranian side should resume full compliance.”

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