No Signs In Vienna Of JCPOA Talks Restarting

Stephanie Liechtenstein of Foreign Policy has reported that the media infrastructure has been removed from the venue of JCPOA talks suggesting that talks will not resume as planned.

• Liechtenstein: 'Vienna Talks concluded in a few days, a few weeks, almost, not yet? Well, I regret to inform you that they have begun to dismantle the media tent outside Palais Coburg in Vienna.'
• Tehran Times today: 'Iranian President Raisi says the Islamic Republic has not abandoned talks with the P4+1 group of countries on the revival of the JCPOA, nor has Tehran tied the people’s livelihood and the country’s economy to the accord as well as the negotiations in Austrian capital of Vienna.'
• Yesterday, Russian FM Sergei Lavrov met with Iranian FM Hossein Amir-Abdollahian: 'Ministers reiterated mutual intent to strengthen cooperation in all spheres to counter illegal restrictive measures introduced against Russia & Iran, also drawing particular attention to the state of affairs w/ JCPOA.'
• EU diplomat Josep Borrell said yesterday to the EU parliament: 'On the JCPOA, Russia is now no longer a problem…Russia, after a visit of an Iranian minister to Moscow, lifted its objections and now it’s no longer a problem...And that’s an important step forward.'
• It appears the final decision will now be a political one taken in Washington. Congress appeared to warm slightly this week after classified briefings but the White House has distanced itself from committing to a firm timeline.