Iran: Iran and European countries will soon resume negotiations on the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) concerning the Iranian nuclear program. The agreement, initially hindered after the United States’ unilateral withdrawal in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump, is back on the table according to recent statements by Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Araghchi mentioned on Iranian state TV that European countries have shown interest in resuming the negotiations, indicating that discussions are likely to begin soon. He further stated that the Iranian government, under President Masoud Pezeshkian, proposed reviving the talks on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York, which took place from September 24-30. This proposal was met with a welcoming response from both Europe and the United States.
Araghchi also highlighted the history of Iran-US talks, which were mediated by Oman during the presidency of the late Eb
rahim Raisi. However, these discussions have been on hold since May. While in New York, there was an apparent interest in resuming negotiations with both European nations and the United States, facilitated by Oman. Nonetheless, further consultations were halted due to developments in Lebanon following Israel’s ground operation on Lebanese soil in late September.