China Calls for Boosting Diplomatic Efforts to Secure Nuclear Agreement

China called for increased diplomatic efforts to conclude talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 
“At this final phase [of negotiations], it is ever more important that all parties boost confidence, step up diplomatic efforts, facilitate a smooth conclusion of the negotiations and avoid letting previous efforts come to naught,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in a regular press conference on Thursday, according to the ministry’s website.
He added that China will continue to participate in negotiations constructively to help bring the JCPOA back to the normal track at an early date and uphold the international non-proliferation system.
Talks have been underway in Vienna, Austria, since last April to restore the nuclear deal that offered sanctions relief to Iran in return for restrictions on its nuclear program.
The landmark agreement has been unravelling since the United States pulled out and reimposed sweeping sanctions that prompted Tehran to react by scaling down its commitments. 
Vienna talks have entered the final stage, but have been stalled for about a month over a few remaining differences, with both Tehran and Washington putting the onus on each other to make the required political decision. 
“As the culprit of the Iranian nuclear crisis, the US should make political decisions as soon as possible and actively respond to the legitimate concerns of the Iranian side,” the Chinese diplomat said. 

Best Outcome 

Iran’s demand for the removal of its Islamic Revolution Guards Corps from the US list of terrorist organizations is reportedly the main stumbling block to reaching an agreement in Vienna as Washington has refused to do so, saying the issue is irrelevant to nuclear talks. 
US special envoy for Iran Rob Malley has recently said the IRGC “will remain sanctioned under US law and our policies, and our perceptions [of it] will not change.”
Speaking to NBC in Brussels, Belgium, on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the American allegation that the IRGC is a terrorist group, but declined to say whether or not it will remain in the list. 
“I’m not going to get into the details of where we are on the negotiations. I would say simply that I’m not overly optimistic at the prospects of actually getting an agreement to conclusion, despite all the efforts we put into it and despite the fact that I believe our security would be better off,” he said. 
The American top diplomat gave the interview in Brussels where he met his French, German and British counterparts to discuss the status of the Vienna talks. 
“They agreed that a diplomatic solution entailing a mutual return to full implementation of the JCPOA is the best outcome, but noted that we are prepared for other scenarios if necessary,” according to a statement attributed to US State Department spokesman Ned Price. 
Iranian officials say designating a country’s army as a terrorist organization is unacceptable and the delisting of the elite military group is one of Tehran’s red lines. 
“Iran would not cross its red lines and would not compromise on its demands,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said early this week.