Everyone is Waiting for News

Arab media, like other outlets, are closely following the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the 1+5 group. This is particularly significant as Iran is a neighbor to Arab countries and a key regional player; thus, any developments in Iran's nuclear file directly and indirectly impact Arab nations. However, this phase of the nuclear talks, which is supposed to be the final stage, is taking place during a time of regional turmoil. Crises have engulfed Arab countries, including the crises in Iraq and Syria, where the Islamic State (ISIS) has taken hold, the situation in Yemen with the Arab coalition's attacks led by Saudi Arabia against the Houthis and their allies, and recently bombings in some countries and the pursuit of the perpetrators. These issues occupy news segments alongside the nuclear negotiations in Vienna. Almost all major television networks in the Arab world have sent reporters to Vienna. Networks such as Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya, Sky News Arabia, Al Hurra, Al Aan, Al Manar, Abu Dhabi, Al Mustaqbal, Al Jadeed, MTV, and others have stationed journalists in Vienna to cover the latest news on the nuclear negotiations. However, a recent issue has arisen regarding the decrease in the amount of analysis provided about the negotiations. The protracted nature of the talks and the ambiguity surrounding their outcome, coupled with regional tensions, have left little room for new analyses, especially since the lack of new information from within the negotiations has made analyses repetitive. These analyses previously addressed topics such as the remaining differences between Iran and the 1+5 group, the readiness of each side to make concessions, the potential for improved Iran-U.S. relations in the event of an agreement, the possible impact of an agreement on regional countries, especially those considered to be within Iran's sphere of influence, and the potential effects of an agreement on Iran itself. Analysts may have said everything they could on these topics, and now, as nearly all negotiators' statements to the media can be summarized as 'progress has been made, but significant differences remain that require serious effort,' there is little new to discuss. Despite this, Arab media are striving to cover the latest news and positions directly in the final days and hours of the negotiations. Almost all Arab media outlets interrupted their programming on the evening of Sunday, July 14, to broadcast a press conference by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Vienna. News agencies are closely monitoring updates and reporting them as breaking news, followed by coverage in news segments. These days, official and semi-official Iranian news agencies are receiving significant attention from Arab media. The first time Arab media reported the possibility of extending negotiations again until after Tuesday was based on a report from the Tasnim news agency. On Monday, July 15, and Tuesday morning, July 16, Arab television stations reflected news about the nuclear negotiations: meetings between Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and foreign ministers of the 1+5 group (the U.S., U.K., France, Russia, China, and Germany), serious differences in the negotiations according to the Iranian state news agency (IRNA), the possibility of extending negotiations according to the White House spokesperson, and Iran's request for the lifting of arms sanctions, especially those related to its ballistic missile program, which the West opposes. The regional newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat published a report from its correspondent in Vienna, indicating that negotiations became more complicated on the evening of Monday. The newspaper noted that this development occurred while hopes for reaching a nuclear agreement were higher on Sunday, but a Western diplomatic source stated that Iran had raised its demands and was seeking the lifting of UN sanctions against its ballistic missile program; thus, negotiations became more complex and difficult. However, the newspaper Al-Hayat cited Iranian sources stating that most remaining issues in the negotiations have been resolved and a solution has been found for 90% of the differences. This newspaper, which published a photo of the Iranian negotiating team attending a night vigil in Vienna, also referenced an editorial from the Kayhan newspaper emphasizing the 'red lines' set by Iran's leader in the negotiations. The Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram mentioned the possibility of extending negotiations until Thursday morning while emphasizing that 'cautious optimism' prevails in the atmosphere of the negotiations. This newspaper referenced statements from officials present in Vienna, including Zarif and Kerry. The Lebanese newspaper Al-Mustaqbal addressed three main points regarding the nuclear negotiations: the likelihood of extending the deadline, the improbability of failure as perceived by German officials, and the IRNA report on serious differences in the discussions between Iran and the 1+5 group. The Lebanese newspaper Al-Safir headlined its report on the negotiations: 'The deadline for negotiations collides with Iranian missiles.' This report stated that the nuclear negotiations had entered their final 15 minutes, adding that the last meeting between the foreign ministers of Iran and the 1+5 group showed significant gaps and differences between the two sides. The Saudi newspaper Okaz also highlighted this issue, stating: 'Iranian missiles create obstacles in the negotiations.' The Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Qabas based its report on the IRNA report and spoke of serious differences between Iran and the 1+5 group in the discussions on Tuesday. However, the newspaper Al-Nahar left Vienna and went to Tehran to report on extensive consultations between officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency with Iranian authorities.