US Needs to Abandon Trump’s Failed Legacy

The 2015 nuclear deal can still be restored to its original form if the United States decides to quit its former president’s policies, an Iranian senior diplomat said. 
“Still believe a deal is possible, if the US decides to abandon [ex-president Donald] Trump’s failed legacy,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said in a tweet.
He also urged the US to avoid lengthening the talks, saying, “Iran will not negotiate forever.”  
Trump unilaterally pulled out of the agreement that was struck between Iran and world powers and reimposed sweeping sanctions on Tehran in hope of reaching a “better deal” through a so-called “maximum pressure campaign”.    
Iran remained committed for a year, but then gradually scaled down its commitments when the other parties failed to safeguard its economic benefits under the accord, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 
In view of the new US administration’s willingness to rejoin the agreement, negotiations initiated in Vienna, Austria, between JCPOA parties and the US to see if both sides can agree to resume full compliance.  
Six rounds of talks have been held so far, but a final agreement has not been reached yet despite the great progress. 
Khatibzadeh reiterated Iran’s will to restore the agreement in his tweet, highlighting the Iranian delegation’s spirited activity in Vienna talks.     
“Out of a steadfast commitment to salvage a deal that the US tried to torpedo, Iran has been the most active party in Vienna, proposing most drafts,” he said. 

Up to the US

Following the last round of talks, Iran’s top negotiator Abbas Araqchi said the draft documents on an agreement are almost complete and the delegations are in their capitals, not only for further technical consultations, but for important political decisions. 
The negotiations are now in a pause, with both sides saying that its conclusion depends on the other side’s decision. 
American and French top diplomats warned recently that time is running out for the revival of the deal and that they expect Tehran to move ahead.
“We expect the Iranian authorities to take the final decisions—no doubt difficult ones—which will allow the negotiations to be concluded,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said.
Iran says it is up to the US to decide whether or not it wants to lift its illegal and cruel sanctions and honor its JCPOA commitments, in which case Iran is ready to stop its reciprocal measures.  
“It is clear that if the US makes its decision and prepares to fully meet its commitments, and stops using sanctions as negotiating leverage, an agreement would be possible,” Khatibzadeh had said earlier. 
Iran wants a complete lifting of US sanctions and its verification before it re-implements its commitments.
The standstill comes as Iran is expecting a transition of government in August, following the June 18 presidential elections which brought conservative Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeisi to power.
Analysts and some diplomats involved in the negotiations have long said it would be easier to reach a deal with the outgoing administration of President Hassan Rouhani than with a government led by Raeisi.