Iran Nuclear Talks Resume in Vienna

The eighth round of talks to reach an agreement to revive the 2015 nuclear deal have resumed in Vienna. Western diplomats have stated their intention to have breakthrough by early February but there are no signs of progress yet, and Iran has rejected Western deadlines.

• Jean-Yves le Drian, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs said: ‘The discussions are ongoing. They are slow, too slow and that creates a gap that jeopardizes the chance of finding a solution that respects the interests of all sides’.
• Iran refuses to negotiate directly with the US and talks are complicated by shuttling messages via the other participants China, Russia, Britain, France, and Germany.
• It is considered vital for the security of the Middle East that some form of agreement is reached with Iran to rollback their nuclear program.