Inside a nuclear plant in Iran's southern region (Photo: VNA)

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) informed its member states on Monday that Iran has resumed enriching uranium with a third set of advanced IR-2m centrifuges at its underground plant at Natanz. This violates the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly called the Iran nuclear deal, that Iran signed with the P5+1 – the US, the UK, France, China, and Russia plus Germany.

Positive signs

US officials, including President Joe Biden, have repeatedly said they will push to revive the JCPOA, reversing President Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the agreement.

Spokesperson for the US State Department Ned Price said last Thursday that Washington is waiting for Iran to rejoin the negotiations.

France and Germany have urged Iran to abide by the agreement. Russia’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said on Sunday that Moscow is ready to discuss with the US and other JCPOA signatories resuming the deal.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said last Friday that Iran will soon present a “constructive” plan of action related to its nuclear program.

Challenges

Analysts say the biggest barrier to restarting the JCPOA is conditions being set by both the sides. The US insists that Iran must first comply with its commitments under the agreement, then the US will consider removing sanctions. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed that last Thursday, adding that Washington will ease sanctions if Tehran truly abides by its commitments.

Iran insists that sanctions must first be removed before any new talks. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday that the US must effectively lift all sanctions against Iran, in which case Tehran will reverse all the steps it has taken.