(VOVworld) – Negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program between Iran and the P5+1 continued in Vienna this week. This latest round of negotiations seeks a comprehensive deal on Iran’s controversial nuclear program by the November 24 deadline. Anh Huyen reports:
This is the decisive round of talks for Iran and the world powers to reach a final deal on Iran’s nuclear program, which has been controversial for 12 years. If talks fail again, the impasse will continue with unknown consequences. Earlier efforts to achieve a long-term agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear program in return for aid and lifted sanctions have all been in vain.
Major differences
After the July 20 deadline was missed, Iran and the P5+1 agreed to extend negotiations. 4 months later differences remain despite intense negotiations between Iran and the P5+1, bilateral talks between Iran and the US, and three-party talks between Iran, the US, and the EU. Observers are pessimistic about this round of talks because a number of issues - the scale of Iran’s nuclear enrichment, the heavy water nuclear reactor in Arak, the duration of the agreement, and the loosening of sanctions on Iran – have been consistent sticking points. Iran has proceeded with 20% uranium enrichment and the West has increased sanctions over and over again.
Good will a precondition
Although a final agreement has not been reached, 10 years of negotiations has, if nothing else, built some good will and mutual trust.
But to reach a deal acceptable to both sides will require much more effort and more good will. Prior to this round of negotiations, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed optimism about positive results but also stressed the importance of good will and faith. He said that if the P5+1 show their good will, Iran will be ready for a final deal. If not, Iran still wants a solution, which does not run counter to its interests. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said an agreement will likely be reached before November 24 if Iran shows considerable further flexibility in proving the peaceful purpose of its nuclear program. US Secretary of State John Kerry said this round of talks is a historic opportunity that Iran should not miss to erase the concerns of the international community and end Iran’s isolation.
Golden opportunity for a comprehensive nuclear deal
Both sides have shown good will but more is needed. As time passes, the possibility of reaching an agreement grows fainter. If recent momentum stalls, skepticism will overwhelm mutual trust and the talks will collapse.
With regional stability threatened by the self-proclaimed Islamic State, a comprehensive nuclear deal will not only end 35 years of hostility between Iran and the West, but will open new opportunities for cooperation between Washington and Tehran in the fight against IS. It’s time for the US and the West to accept that Iran can play an important role in stabilizing the very unstable Middle East by helping to find a solution to Syria’s crisis, ensure a successful security transfer in Afghanistan, restore stability in Lebanon and Yemen, and ensure peace in the border area between Lebanon and Israel. This round of nuclear talks is a golden opportunity for Iran and the P5+1 to reach a comprehensive, long-term agreement in the interest of all parties.