EU: Iran nuclear deal at ‘critical point’

“We are at a critical point in time for the JCPOA. Everybody is determined to bring the JCPOA on track,” Borrell stated in reference to the troubled 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.

“Time is not on their side,” he added.

The top diplomat noted there would be no nuclear talks between EU and Iranian diplomats in Brussels on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, Borrell had stated he hoped EU and Iranian diplomats would meet soon to discuss a potential return to nuclear negotiations.

A senior EU official said last week Iran was not ready yet to return to actual talks with world powers over its nuclear programme and related U.S. sanctions but could discuss with the EU in Brussels texts that would later be put forward.

“No confirmation yet, but things are getting better and I am hopeful we will have preparatory meetings in Brussels in the days to come,” Borrell stated in Luxembourg as he arrived for an EU foreign ministers meeting, adding, “You never know, I am more optimistic today than yesterday”.

On Monday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said the Thursday talks between Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri and EU official Enrique Mora in Tehran were good and constructive.

Talking to reports during his weekly briefing on Monday, Khatibzadeh added that Bagheri conveyed Iran’s message to the coordinator of the negotiations and the two sides agreed to continue talks in Brussels in the next few days. He noted that this agreement was bilateral.

Khatibzadeh said in Brussels, Iran and the other parties must hold talks over the challenges and obstacles they failed to resolve in Vienna.

The spokesman added that the talks will be pursued by the Foreign Ministry and the members of the negotiating team will be introduced.

He noted that the meeting in Brussels will be the continuation of the talks over issues raised in Tehran.

Khatibzadeh said the continuation of talks by Iran is a final decision, adding that Iran insists all sides return to full compliance with the nuclear deal unconditionally and under UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and all anti-Iran sanctions be lifted.

He also referred to the Joe Biden administration’s failure to make good on its promise to go down a different path than that taken by former US president Donald Trump.