Enrique Mora, EU coordinator for nuclear talks (photo: AFP/VNA)

The latest effort to revive the JCPOA was the visit to Iran on March 26 by Enrique Mora, EU coordinator for nuclear talks. The visit took place after talks between Iran and the P5+1 Group of the US, the UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany had made substantial progress and all parties said the talks were on track and close to a final consensus.

Important progress

Prior to his visit to Iran, Mora said his purpose was to narrow the gap for later talks in Vienna between Iran and the P5+1. Mora tweeted that they must conclude this negotiation. 

He met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani who is Iran’s chief negotiator. The results of their talks have not been revealed.

Mr. Abdollahian said last Wednesday that an agreement to revive the nuclear deal was close. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the talks have seen positive results. Spokesman for the US State Department Ned Price said Washington is prepared to take "difficult decisions" to restore the pact. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed US determination on this issue during his recent trip to the Middle East. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri said Iran is serious about the talks.

More effort is needed

The JCPOA talks have seen determination on the part of all parties. Analysts say reaching an agreement is urgent.

For the US, reaching an agreement will have a double benefit – a diplomatic win for President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party before the midterm election and an easing of global oil prices.

Iran’s Foreign Minister said Saturday that removing the US sanctions and gaining an economic benefit is Iran’s primary goal in the talks.

The biggest remaining obstacle is the mutual distrust between the US and Iran. Iran’s Foreign Minister said that the US’s failure to make a political decision to remove sanctions on Iran has prevented a final agreement.