BICOM

Both the French and German Ambassadors to the United States have indicated that Iranian intransigence makes it unlikely that nuclear talks with the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) will result in agreement before their 30 June deadline.

Iran and the P5+1 agreed a framework to a comprehensive nuclear deal last month, paving the way for negotiations to begin towards a long-term accord, which must be agreed by the end of June. However, both sides have since indicated differences over fundamental issues such as Iran’s use of advanced centrifuges, the pace of sanctions relief and provision for international inspections. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei last week indicated that Tehran would not permit any inspections whatsoever. Iran has a long history of concealing its nuclear programme on a large scale.

The Los Angeles Times says that Iran remains reluctant to put down in writing concessions it agreed on these issues, for fear that they will prove unpopular at home. Speaking at the Atlantic Council think tank, Gerard Araud, the French ambassador to the United States said it is “very likely” that talks will extend beyond the agreed upon deadline, adding, “It’s going to be extremely complicated … We could have a sort of fuzzy end to the negotiations.” His German counterpart Peter Wittig said that talks are proceeding “at a rather slow pace on the expert level” and that, “The most difficult path may lie ahead of us.”

Meanwhile, AP reports that Washington and Moscow are close to resolving a disagreement over re-imposing United Nations (UN) sanction on Iran, in the event that Tehran violates the terms of a deal with the P5+1. The United States favours a mechanism to automatically reinstate the sanctions, a move opposed by Russia. Apparently, the two have agreed that if an agreement is broken by Iran, then sanctions could be re-imposed via a majority vote at the UN Security Council rather than a unanimous decision.