The talks over the JCPOA, the Joint Comprehensive
Plan of Action, also known as 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which have been making
steady progress, appeared to have hit a roadblock all of a sudden.
The signatories to the JCPOA and Iran already had
four rounds of talks in Vienna.
According to a senior Russian diplomat, who
participates in the talks, although talks make progress, they are difficult.
“So far so good but not easy. The work on
restoration of the JCPOA continues, including during this weekend,” he summed
up the mood of the ongoing discussions.
He, however, was still hopeful about a breakthrough
in May, which remains to be seen.
Iranian media, meanwhile, questions the aptness of
Vienna for having talks, citing Austria’s ‘insensitivity’ to the conflict in
Gaza Strip: Austrian foreign ministry building erected the Israel flag in
solidarity with the Jewish state and Iranian foreign minister cancelled the
planned visit to Austria in protest against it last week.
Despite the unexpected gloom over the talks, there
is a strong possibility of overcoming the latest hurdle: Russian and China are
keen to get the talks rolling and the both nations maintain good, influential
relationship with Iran.
The prolonged delay of an amicable solution,
however, is in nobody’s interest: the presidential election in Iran is due to
take place in June and a few conservative hardliners, including a former
president, have already come forward for the contest.
Iran’s production of oil, meanwhile, continues to
grow unabated, according to analysts. It’s an indication that Iran wants to get
its market share back in the near future, as sanction-busting measures are no
match for open trading in the international markets.
