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FOX FIRST: A new nuclear deal with Iran is expected in days, a European diplomat told Fox News on Friday, after weeks of renewed talks in Vienna to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.
However, the diplomat warned that any deal involving Iran, China, Russia and the United States could always fall apart. Meanwhile, Iran’s chief negotiator told reporters on Thursday that the deal would be concluded within 24-48 hours.
IRAN IS APPROACHING THE NUCLEAR THRESHOLD, WITH US OPTIONS TO STOP ITS NARROWING, WARNING REPORT
The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for a significant lifting of international sanctions. The Trump administration withdrew the United States from the deal amid fears the agreement did not do enough to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions – including clauses to end the restrictions.
Iran eventually withdrew from the deal after the Trump administration again imposed sanctions as part of its campaign for maximum pressure, and Tehran has since stepped up its enrichment. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said this week that it believes Iran has significantly increased its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium, but is unable to verify the exact size of the stockpile due to restrictions imposed on regime inspectors.
The Biden administration tried to re-enter the deal, and negotiations began in Vienna last year to revive the deal. Initially, these talks came to a halt amid calls for significant easing of sanctions by Iran’s hardline regime.
As for Russian diplomats negotiating in Vienna during a European embargo on flights against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, the diplomat told Fox that there could always be exceptions for diplomats.
With Russia’s involvement in the deal, it raises the possibility of financial gain for Moscow in a new deal, such as payments to take Iranian uranium. The diplomat told Fox that the West would find a way to allow the deal and said the fears were “nothing that cannot be overcome”.
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION REFUSES SANCTIONS ON IRANIAN CIVIL NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES AS NEGOTIATION NEGOTIATIONS AHEAD IN BALANCE
The State Department did not comment on whether the Biden administration was concerned about the need for Russia’s cooperation or whether it would have to impose sanctions in order to reach an agreement.
Last month, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken signed a waiver that restored the ability of foreign companies and other countries to participate in civilian nuclear and security projects in Iran without facing US sanctions.
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At the time, a senior State Department official told Fox News Digital that the refusals were due to growing fears of non-proliferation over Tehran’s enriched uranium stockpiles and that without the refusal, “detailed technical discussions with third countries on stockpile disposal and other activities of non-proliferation value may not be carried out. “
Gillian Turner of Fox News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.