France: There is still a long way to go before the JCPOA is revived

The French Foreign Minister said on Tuesday, January 11, that Iran and world powers are still a long way from reaching an agreement, despite recent progress in negotiations to revive the JCPOA.

Indirect talks between Iran and the United States to save the nuclear agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) have resumed in Vienna on Monday, January 3.

Western diplomats have said they hope to achieve a breakthrough by next month at the latest, but differences over the most difficult issues remain unresolved. Iran has opposed any Western deadline.

“Negotiations are ongoing. They are moving slowly, very slowly, and this is creating a gap that is jeopardizing the chances of reaching a solution that benefits all parties,” Jean-Yves Le Drian told the French parliament.

The French foreign minister added: "Some progress was made in late December, but we are still a long way from the end of the negotiations."

The eighth round of nuclear negotiations, which is actually the first round during the presidency of Ebrahim Raisi, began after Iran added more demands to the draft agreement.

Iran, meanwhile, has not yet entered into direct negotiations with the United States, which has forced Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia to go back and forth between the parties and convey their views.

Not much remains of the JCPOA, which was meant to lift sanctions on Iran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program. Former US President Donald Trump unilaterally scrapped the deal about three years ago and reimposed heavy sanctions on Iran. In response, Iran has gradually reneged on its commitments.

Source: Radio Farda