Parisa Hafezi & John Irish

DUBAI (Reuters), – Iran’s and America’s inflexibility on key issues during indirect nuclear negotiations raises questions over whether a compromise can soon be reached to renew a 2015 agreement that would dispel concerns of a larger Middle East conflict, diplomats claim.

Eight rounds have been held to discuss the most pressing issues, including the pace and scope of lifting the sanctions against Tehran.

The nuclear deal limited Iran’s uranium enrichment activity to make it harder for it to develop nuclear arms — an ambition Tehran denies — in return for lifting international sanctions.

But former U.S. President Donald Trump ditched the pact in 2018, saying it did not do enough to curb Iran’s nuclear activities, ballistic missile program and regional influence, and reimposed sanctions that badly damaged Iran’s economy.

Iran responded to Trump’s demands after a year of waiting. It began to break the agreement gradually, rebuilding its stockpiles and refining it to a higher fisile purity.

After months of no-win talks, which began when Trump was replaced by Joe Biden in the White House’s office, Western officials say that there is not enough time to revive the agreement. Officials from Iran deny that they are being pressured by time and argue the economy is able to survive due to China’s oil sales.

“WE NEED GUARANTEES”

An ex-official from Iran stated that Iran’s leaders “are sure their maximalist, uncompromising approach will yield results.”

France declared Tuesday that Iran and other world powers had not made significant progress since December.

On Jan. 4, the U.S. State Department stated that the key issues in the negotiation were sanctions relief and Iran’s nuclear actions to end the agreement.

Iran wants to see all Trump-era sanction removed in an immediate and transparent manner. Washington claimed it would lift curbs that were inconsistent with the 2015 deal if Iran returned to compliance, which would imply it would keep in place other sanctions such as those associated with terrorism or human right violations.

The American people should assure Iran that they will not impose any new sanctions on Iran under any label in the future. “We need assurances that America won’t abandon this deal again,” stated a senior Iranian official.

Iran’s Nournews is a news outlet that’s affiliated to the Supreme National Security Council. It reported on Wednesday, “Assurements and Verifications” are the key conditions of the talks with Iran.

Officials from the United States were not available immediately to discuss the issue of assurances. Officials from the United States have stated that Biden can’t promise that the U.S. government won’t renege upon the agreement as the nuke deal is not legally binding but a political understanding.

When asked to respond to the question about the U.S. constitution reality, an Iranian official stated that it was their problem.

Iran will need to take a few more weeks to confirm that the sanctions were removed before they reverse their nuclear plans. However, the other side claims that it would take only a few days to fill a vessel with oil and then export it. Then the bank system could be used to transfer money.” the official added.

THREATS

Shadowing the background of the talks have been threats by Israel, widely believed to have the Middle East’s only nuclear weaponry but which sees Iran as a existential threat, to attack Iranian nuclear installations if it deems diplomacy ultimately futile in containing Tehran’s atomic abilities and potential.

Iran declares that it will retaliate if attacked.

An official from the West said that “early February is a realistic deadline for Vienna negotiations” because Iran will lose more of its nuclear capability if it continues to stay out of the deal. It might also need less time to create a bomb.

A Western diplomat stated that “We are still not certain whether Iran truly wants a agreement.”

Iran has decided not to adhere to “artificial deadlines”.

According to a second Iranian official close to Iran’s negotiations team, “They asked Iran several times to slow down its nuclear work during the talks. And even Americans transmitted messages about an interim agreement through other parties.”

Iran rejected the proposal.

Asked for comment, a State Department spokesperson who declined to be identified told Reuters: “Of course we — and the whole international community — want Iran to slow down their nuclear program and have communicated that very clearly.”

“Beyond that, we don’t negotiate the details in public, but these reports are far off.”

The Iran’s advanced nucleifuges are another point of contention — these machines purify the uranium and can be used to fuel atomic power stations or weapons, if they are purified to high levels.

Discussions on Iran’s request to seal and store its advanced centrifuges are continuing. The first official stated that they wanted the centrifuges removed and sent abroad.

A Western diplomat was asked for comment and said, “We are trying to find ways to solve our differences with Iran regarding verification process.”