“The round of nuclear talks in Vienna ended this weekend as Iran does not appear to be serious in its actions ahead of a return to the 2015 agreement,” US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said at the end of the round, which is likely to resume next week.
He stressed that “the United States will not allow Iran to procrastinate in the talks” while continuing its nuclear program. “Washington will take other options if diplomacy fails.”
Reuters and Al Jazeera agencies report that Western representatives have expressed deep disappointment that the new administration in Tehran is making new demands. The Iranian delegation announced that it was ready to stay in Vienna and continue talks, but European representatives decided to take a break and hold consultations with their capitals. It is therefore assumed that the eighth round will take place in Vienna this week.
On Thursday, the Iranian delegation submitted two documents that were forwarded for review to the American delegation, which is not participating in the direct talks. The documents include details of Iran’s proposals to lift sanctions and “lower the threshold for progress” in the nuclear program.
Tehran demands the abolition of all sanctions. They have prepared a third document detailing Iran’s demands for US guarantees that it will not abandon the talks again, as it has done in the past, as well as promises regarding sanctions removal procedures.