Both US and Iran Initially Positive... Optimism Raised
Decision to Postpone Issue of Revoking IRGC Terrorist Designation
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The restoration negotiations of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), which resumed after more than five months in Vienna, Austria on the 4th, have concluded with a final draft. It is expected that the deal will be finalized once the parties involved review and approve the final draft. Both the U.S. and Iran have expressed that significant progress was made during this round of talks, leading to cautious optimism.
According to the Associated Press on the 8th (local time), Josep Borrell, the European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy who mediated the JCPOA restoration talks, stated on his Twitter account, "Everything that could be negotiated has been negotiated, and now a final draft has been produced." He added, "Political decisions will now be made in the capitals of the negotiating parties, and if positive responses are received, a signing ceremony for the final agreement will be held."
Thus, the JCPOA restoration negotiations, which resumed after more than five months on the 4th, concluded in just five days. With the final draft review and ratification procedures by each government remaining, the Iranian negotiation team returned home immediately after the talks, citing the need for domestic review. Iran's state-run IRIB broadcast quoted an anonymous senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official as saying, "There was positive progress in this round of talks, and after comprehensive review, additional opinions will be provided." The official added, "We want a guaranteed agreement that protects Iran's national interests and remains unbroken despite the U.S.'s wrongful actions."
The U.S. side is also reported to have shown a positive response. According to CNN, a U.S. State Department official stated, "The United States is ready to quickly reach an agreement to restore the deal based on the EU's proposal." With both sides showing positive reactions, cautious optimism about reaching a deal is emerging.
Both the U.S. and Iran reportedly made concessions regarding the U.S. designation of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, which had been a major obstacle in previous negotiations. According to Al Jazeera, the two sides agreed to continue negotiations on this issue after the JCPOA restoration deal is finalized.
However, some differences remain between the two sides, such as issues related to inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and concerns have been raised that sudden changes in the Middle East situation, including armed conflicts between Israel and Palestine, could act as future variables.
According to AFP, the Iranian government holds the position that IAEA inspections should be suspended after the JCPOA is finalized, while the U.S. and Western countries argue that such inspections are separate from the JCPOA.
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