Saving the Iran Deal

Why in news?

Recently efforts are taken to revive Iran nuclear deal which has raised hopes after the unilateral termination by the U.S.

What are the details about the talks?

• The talks are held in Vienna with the remaining members of the Iran nuclear deal — China, Russia, U.K., France, Germany and Iran.
• The European and Iranian diplomats said efforts to revive the deal are on the right track.
• Though the American delegation participated in Vienna, they did not held direct talks with Iran.
• The aim of the talks is to produce a road map for the revival of the JCPOA by addressing two critical issues — Iran’s nuclear enhanced programme and American sanctions.

What was the demand of U.S on Iran?

• The U.S. wants Iran to end its uranium enrichment and centrifuge development programmes and return to the 2015 agreement.
• It has displayed flexibility in its approach towards Iran and has appointed a special envoy.
• It has ended the U.S.’s support for Saudi Arabia’s war against the Houthis- Iran-backed militants- in Yemen and promised to lift sanctions if Iran returns to JCPOA terms.
• It also made an offer to Iran to release $1 billion of Iranian money frozen in South Korea as part of the sanctions in exchange for ending its 20% uranium enrichment.
• But Iran has demanded the U.S. lift all sanctions imposed by erstwhile President which is still in enforcement.

What are the challenges in taking forward the talks?

• Iran has rejected the offer now seeking more concrete measures from the U.S.
• Both the countries are facing time constraints in resuming the deal as Iran holds its presidential polls in June.
• If U.S.’s wants to revive Iran’s nuclear programme, it can do so by reviving the agreement before the Iran’s presidential election.
• There are external dangers as well:

1. Iran-backed Shia militias in Iraq continue to target U.S. forces and bases in Iraq.
2. The Israel-Iran shadow conflict is now being fought inside Syria and on the seas.

• Earlier, an Iranian ship was attacked in the Red Sea and if security tensions rise in the region, it could derail the diplomatic efforts.
• Both U.S. and Iran should exercise restraint, stay focused on talks and rebuild the lost trust.
• They must take measures to get the deal back on track that would resolve the nuclear crisis in return for dismantling the sanctions regime.

Source: The Hindu