Western Diplomats: Iran and Powers Make 'Intense Efforts' to Narrow Gaps

Western diplomats have told Reuters that the Western negotiating parties regarding the nuclear agreement still have disagreements with Tehran on issues such as how to lift sanctions or monitoring, and they are 'intensely working' to narrow the gaps. Abbas Araqchi, a senior Iranian negotiator with the 5+1 group, stated at the end of recent negotiations in New York that the drafting of the comprehensive agreement is 'slow and steady' and that the parties hope to conclude it by the set deadline. The deadline for drafting the final agreement is the first decade of July. Western diplomats, who did not disclose their names, stated on May 5 that Iran and the world powers are still 'far' from a final agreement following the understanding reached on April 1 in Lausanne, as there are disagreements on issues such as how to lift sanctions, monitoring, and several other matters. One of the disagreements regarding the sanctions, according to one diplomat, is the West's demand for the sanctions to be reversible. The U.S. and European parties want the lifting of UN Security Council sanctions against Tehran to be automatically suspended if Iran fails to comply with the terms of the agreement, meaning that the sanctions would be re-implemented. This issue has been described as one of the 'most significant points of contention.' Iranian officials also state that Iran's nuclear program should be 'reversible.' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, who has emphasized that the lifting of sanctions must occur simultaneously with the agreement, has also stated that he does not accept 'irreversibility' in the nuclear industry. Hassan Firouzabadi, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, stated on May 5 that Iran should have the right to return to unlimited enrichment conditions as soon as possible if 'any of the 5+1 members fail to adhere to the agreements.' According to Reuters, Western diplomats are trying to find a way to at least prevent China and Russia from vetoing a possible re-imposition of sanctions against Iran. They stated that reinstating U.S. and EU sanctions against Iran is not difficult, as they are the only decision-makers, but in the Security Council, China and Russia are present and can use their veto power to Iran's benefit. A Western diplomat stated that a mechanism that satisfies all parties has not yet been found. Another problem mentioned in this report is the issue known as 'procurement channels'; a method that allows Iran to purchase certain sensitive technologies that are currently prohibited under UN sanctions. One of the proposed ideas to resolve this issue, according to diplomats, is a consensus involving Iran and the six countries, whereby Tehran would have voting rights but no veto power. Tehran has consistently emphasized that its nuclear program only pursues peaceful objectives. During Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency and following the policies pursued at that time, Iran's nuclear file was brought to the UN Security Council, and the process of approving international sanctions against Iran began. Currently, the parties are negotiating to finalize an agreement that will both find a way to lift sanctions and comprehensively and transparently monitor and verify Iran's nuclear program. The drafting of the agreement is set to continue next week in Vienna, Austria.