The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, announced, on Saturday 25 June, the resumption of negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme (JCPoA), which have been on hold since March 2022.
“We are expected to resume talks in the coming days and break the impasse”, Mr Borrell announced at a press briefing in Tehran, invited by Mr Abdollahian. “It has been 3 months and we need to accelerate the work”, he stressed. Since the pause in March to allow the Iranians and the Americans to address outstanding issues, the situation has deteriorated further, particularly with the International Atomic Energy Agency, which monitors Iranian compliance (see EUROPE 12979/8).
“There are decisions that need to be made in Tehran and Washington”, Mr Borrell warned. Talks between the Iranians and the Americans will be conducted indirectly, via the High Representative and his team.
According to Mr Abdollahian, one of the topics discussed was the lifting of sanctions. “I expect specifically that the US side will be realistic and fair to reach a deal”, he added.
The High Representative said that the agreement, on the basis of the text on the table, should guarantee Iran all the economic benefits and at the same time address the international community’s concerns on non-proliferation, global security and regional stability.
Mr Borrell also explained that there was enormous potential in many areas between the EU and Iran, starting with trade, “including oil and gas”. “We can strengthen our partnership with the European Union and with our Member States. But for that to happen, the JCPoA must be fully operational and fully implemented”, he warned. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)