EU foreign policy chief says ‘pause’ needed in Iran talks

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The European Union’s foreign policy chief said on Friday that “a pause” was needed in ongoing talks over Iran’s tattered nuclear deal with world powers, blaming “external factors” for the delay.

The comments by Josep Borrell come as a roadmap appeared imminent for the US to rejoin an accord it unilaterally withdrew from in 2018 and for Iran to again limit its rapidly advancing nuclear programme. And while Borrell didn’t elaborate, it also comes as Russia last week tied the ongoing negotiations to sanctions Moscow faces over its war on Ukraine.

“A pause in (hashtag)ViennaTalks is needed, due to external factors. A final text is essentially ready and on the table,” Borrell wrote on Twitter according to AP.

“As coordinator, I will, with my team, continue to be in touch with all (hashtag)JCPOA participants and the US to overcome the current situation and to close the agreement.”

The JCPOA, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, is the 2015 nuclear deal’s formal name. Talks have been going on for months in Vienna over trying to come up with a way to restart the deal.

Responding to Borrell, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh said the pause “could be a momentum for resolving any remaining issue and a final return.”

“Successful conclusion of talks will be the main focus of all,” Khatibzadeh wrote on Twitter. “No external factor will affect our joint will to go forward for a collective agreement.”