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Report: P5+1 agrees mechanism to “snapback” Iran sanctions

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A Reuters report this morning claims that the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) have reached an agreement on re-imposing United Nations (UN) sanction on Iran, in the event that Tehran violates the terms of a long-term deal currently under discussion.

Iran and the P5+1 agreed a framework to a comprehensive nuclear deal in April, paving the way for negotiations to begin towards a long-term accord, which must be agreed by the end of this month. 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 month indicated that Tehran would not permit any inspections whatsoever. Iran has a long history of concealing its nuclear programme on a large scale.

Such discrepancies have prompted the P5+1 to address what would happen if Iran violates the terms of a deal. In particular, The United States favours a so-called “snapback” mechanism to automatically reinstate the sanctions, a move which has been opposed by Russia and China. However, Reuters says that although the precise mechanism remains unclear, the six countries have agreed that a dispute-resolution panel consisting of the P5+1 and Iran would review any alleged Iranian breach and that inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would also play a role in any dispute.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Zarif in Geneva on Saturday. The two leaders apparently met for six hours, a US State Department official commenting, “Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Zarif, along with their teams, had a thorough and comprehensive discussion of all of the issues today.” However, according to AFP, Zarif’s deputy Abbas Araqchi indicated that little progress had been made, saying, “The differences are still there.” Kerry was yesterday hospitalised, having broken a leg while cycling in Switzerland. He will return to the United States and re-join talks via a video link.