Vienna Nuclear Negotiations Make Progress
As the 8th round of nuclear talks in Vienna begin, officials from the U.S., Iran, and Russia have said the negotiations are making progress. Setting a deadline continues to stoke contention. Meanwhile, Iran has banned new COVID vaccines imports and renews attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq.
Vienna Talks Break Amid Progress
The 7th round of Vienna talks have ended amid agreement on working off a single text. Iran and the IAEA have also reached an agreement on inspections that averts a censure of Iran by the agency. Teachers in Iran have also received a salary bump after nationwide strikes
Vienna Negotiations Resume on a Positive Note
The Vienna negotiations resumed this week on a more positive note in comparison to last week, amid reports that Iran will continue the talks based on agreements reached last June. Meanwhile, the value of Iran’s currency is dropping. The UAE’s national security advisor has also visited Iran.
Vienna Nuclear Negotiations Restart
The seventh round of negotiations aimed at restoring the JCPOA started in Vienna between Iran and the P4+1. The U.S. is an indirect participant in the talks, which is between the JCPOA member states. This is the first round of negotiations since June and with the administration of conservative Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi.
Officials Claim Frozen Iranian Assets Freed
Iran’s President and other officials have claimed some of Iran’s assets abroad frozen by U.S. sanctions have been released. The IAEA Director General is travelling to Iran, a prominent human rights defender has been arrested, and an IRGC commander has talked about Iran’s response to the Soleimani assassination. Meanwhile, an earthquake hit southern Iran.
Iran Outlines What It Seeks in Vienna
Iran has outlined what it seeks from the U.S. in the Vienna talks, including guarantees the U.S. will stay in the JCPOA. Meanwhile, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator has travelled to Europe for bilateral talks. Iran also released a Vietnamese tanker it seized and warned U.S. drones away from its territory. An Iranian officials also warned that rare diseases are increasing.
Vienna Talks to Resume on November 29
The EU and Iran announced the Vienna nuclear negotiations will resume on November 29th. Meanwhile, Iran claims the U.S. tried to capture a tanker carrying Iranian oil in the Gulf of Oman, which the U.S. denies. Hackers also leaked new documents from Tehran’s Evin prison.
Iran to Return to Vienna Negotiations in November
Iran said this week it would return to the Vienna negotiations by the end of November. This came as a cyber attack shut down Iranian gas stations across the country. Meanwhile, British-Iranian Nazanin Ratcliffe has not had her new prison sentence be implemented yet, while the UN has issued a new human rights report on Iran.
Raisi Gives Criteria for Nuclear Negotiations
Raisi in a TV interview called for the other JCPOA parties to show their “seriousness” and demonstrate a “readiness” to lift sanctions. Meanwhile, Abdollahian briefed parliament on the JCPOA and talked to the UN Secretary General. A human rights professor has also been sentenced to prison and Iran is bracing for a sixth wave of COVID infections.
EU Officials Try to Jumpstart JCPOA Talks
This week a senior EU official travelled to Iran and it was agreed Iranian negotiators will soon come to Brussels to review the nuclear file. Meanwhile, tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan are dialing down while Iran-Saudi talks are making progress. Teachers have also staged protests across Iran.
Tensions Flare Between Iran and Azerbaijan
Tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan have flared as each side has conducted war games near their border. Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign ministry has clarified that Iran has no “precondition” for resuming the Vienna talks, while a Green Movement leader has given a speech after 10 years under house arrest and women will be attending an upcoming soccer match.
Iran to Return to Nuclear Talks “Soon”
Iran’s Foreign Minister said at the UNGA that Iran would return to the Vienna JCPOA talks soon, but did not specify a date. Meanwhile, officials say Iran is now importing American vaccines, reflecting a reversing of Khamenei’s ban from earlier this year. New economic data also shows Iran’s export increasing and Iran and the IAEA are again feuding.