European Union’s leading diplomat Enrique Mora held talks in Tehran with Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani to revive the deal, as the glimmers of a resolution to some of the difficult issues in the negotiations have emerged.
European Union diplomat Enrique Mora tweeted “Working on closing the remaining gaps in the #ViennaTalks… We must conclude this negotiation. Much is at stake.”
Since April 2021, Iran has also been working to resurrect the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the United Kingdom, China, France, Germany, and Russia, as well as the United States indirectly.
Mr Mora’s visit comes as EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell voiced hope for a renewed accord within days. Mr Borrell told reporters on the sidelines of the Doha Forum in Qatar, “We are very close but there are still some issues pending, I cannot tell you when or how, but it is a matter of days.”
About the history of Iran Nuclear Agreements
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was the outcome of prolonged negotiations between 2013 and 2015, between Iran and P5+1 (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States + Germany). As an agreement to the deal, Iran agreed to significantly reduce its stockpiles of centrifuges, enriched uranium and heavy water, all critical components for nuclear weapons.
Also, Iran agreed to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to access its nuclear sites to keep Iran’s nuclear weapons development in check. While the West agreed to lift sanctions related to Iran’s nuclear proliferation, other sanctions addressing alleged abuses of human rights and Iran’s ballistic missile programme remained in place.
However, the 2015 Iran nuclear deal which was signed under President Barack Obama, got dismantled in 2018 by President Donald Trump. Then-President Trump opted for a maximum pressure campaign by imposing sanctions and other tough actions.
Iran retaliated by increasing uranium enrichment and centrifuge production while insisting that its nuclear programme was for civilian rather than military goals. In January 2020, following a drone strike by the US to assassinate the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Gen. Qasem Soleiman, Iran announced that it would no longer adhere to the JCPOA’s restrictions.
Current Developments
Both the United States and the European Union are looking into alternatives to the Russian presence. They are now willing to resolve all previous aggrieved nation issues, including with hostile states, to ensure the energy security and stability of their nation-state.
In 2021, the European Union purchased 155 billion cubic metres of Russian gas, with 142 billion cubic metres of pipeline gas and 14 billion cubic metres of LNG. The EU imports 45 per cent of its gas from Russia and consumes roughly 40 per cent of it. The current gas utilisation in Europe’s power industry is comparable to Russian pipeline gas exports.
To replace the equivalent of Russian gas imports with renewables, Europe would need to construct an additional 370 gigawatts (GW) of wind power (on top of 215 GW installed as of 2020). Europe would need to add another 105 GW of nuclear power capacity, similar to what was installed in 2021 (115 GW). Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken of the Biden Administration met with key Israeli officials in Jerusalem to try to build consensus.
Edited by Subbuthai Padma
Published by Iram Rizvi
