EU to Continue Efforts to Conclude Deal on JCPOA

The European Union foreign policy chief said he would continue mediative efforts to help conclude an agreement on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Josep Borrell, who acts as coordinator of the JCPOA, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Saturday, where they discussed the latest status of the negotiations, ISNA reported. 
The Iranian top diplomat also highlighted the role of Borrell and the European External Action Service in keeping the EU away from unconstructive emotions. 
He also appreciated Borrell’s contribution to the course of negotiations, but criticized the diplomatically improper language used by a number of European ministers. 
“Today in Europe, some hardline politicians are hiding behind the EU and spend from its pocket,” he said. 
“This way, the EU’s strategic goals have fallen victim to the ambitions of violent and even terrorist groups who give these politicians wrong information.” 
The JCPOA offered sanctions relief to Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear program, but the United States pulled out and reimposed tough sanctions that prompted Tehran to row back on its commitments in response. 
Negotiations began in early 2021 to work out how both sides could resume compliance, but have been stalled for months over final differences. 
Consultations with JCPOA parties and exchange of messages, however, is still underway, according to Amir-Abdollahian. 
Along this line, Iran’s top negotiator Ali Baqeri Kani met Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov in Moscow on Friday to “discuss the prospects of full-scale implementation of the JCPOA,” according to a tweet by Mikhail Ulyanov, Russian representative to Vienna-based organizations. 
Baqeri had earlier met Qatari officials in a visit to Doha. Qatar has good relations with both Iran and the US and has acted on different occasions as intermediary. 

Still Hopeful

During the phone conversation, Borrell and Amir-Abdollahian also discussed Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. 
The IAEA has raised questions about uranium traces allegedly found at undeclared sites in Iran, calling on Tehran to clarify. 
Director General Rafael Grossi, however, has dismissed Iran’s explanation as not credible, paving the way for two resolutions against the country by IAEA Board of Governors in June and November, both of which drew Iran’s reaction. 
In response to the June resolution, Iran removed the agency’s surveillance cameras and other equipment from its nuclear sites. 
It condemned the latest motion as politically-motivated, and reacted by increasing enrichment at 60% purity by initiating the process at its underground Fordow facility. 
Speaking at a conference in Rome, Grossi expressed concern about the Tehran’s recent announcement.  
“Iran informed us they were tripling, not doubling, tripling their capacity to enrich uranium at 60%,” he said, noting that the figure is very close to military level of 90%. 
“This is not banal. This is something that has consequences. It gives them an inventory of nuclear material for which it cannot be excluded ... that there might be another use. We need to go. We need to verify,” he said.
Iran had agreed to a visit by the UN watchdog in November, but later cancelled the arrangement with the new developments at the Board of Governors. 
“We don’t seem to be seeing eye-to-eye with Iran over their obligations to the IAEA,” Grossi said. 
“We need to put our relationship back on track,” he added.
He said, however, that he was “still hopeful” Tehran would give an explanation about the particles.  
The issue has become an obstacle in talks to revive the JCPOA, since Tehran has demanded the closure of the IAEA\s investigation before any agreement.
Grossi also pointed to a stalemate in the talks, saying “at the moment, it does not seem to have the momentum it needs to [get] back to life.” 
Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons, saying its nuclear technology is solely for civil purposes and in accordance with the obligations of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.