US Calls Nuclear Deal Restoration Talks "Constructive"... Iran Increases Pressure Level

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Junhyung Lee] The United States described the atmosphere of the first parties' meeting to restore the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) as "very constructive" and expressed its willingness to negotiate. Iran raised the pressure by announcing the operation of improved centrifuges.

According to the Washington Post on the 10th (local time), a senior U.S. State Department official described the nuclear deal restoration talks as an "efficient" meeting during a briefing on condition of anonymity.

The first meeting held on the 6th in Vienna, Austria, was attended by Iran and the parties to the nuclear deal: Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, and China. The United States, which withdrew from the nuclear deal and reinstated sanctions against Iran under the Trump administration in 2017, did not attend due to Iran's opposition. However, according to U.S. media, the U.S. delegation led by Special Envoy Robert Malley stayed at a hotel near the negotiation venue and indirectly participated by exchanging messages with other delegations.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Iran demanded that the Biden administration, which expressed its intention to return to the nuclear deal, lift sanctions first. On the other hand, the U.S. stance is that sanctions will be lifted only after Iran complies with the nuclear deal again. Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, stated immediately after attending the meeting, "The U.S. proposed to lift frozen assets worth $1 billion (about 1.1 trillion won) in exchange for stopping uranium enrichment at 20%, but we rejected it."

However, at the first meeting, an agreement was reached to form two working groups to review the linkage between the U.S. lifting sanctions on Iran and Iran's corresponding measures. The working groups, composed of experts, immediately began document review work.

A U.S. State Department official said that the first meeting focused on the details each side needs to prepare to comply with the nuclear deal. The official said, "We did not submit a list, nor did Iran," adding, "We exchanged ideas on principles that would guide the sanctions."

The U.S. State Department official said, "If (Iran) does not want to sit at the negotiating table with us, it will not be good for them," and warned that if Iran insists on not complying with the nuclear deal first and demands the removal of all sanctions imposed since 2017, the talks will remain at a "stalemate."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Iran further violated the nuclear deal by operating improved centrifuges for uranium enrichment on the same day. According to Iran's state media, President Hassan Rouhani participated in an event on 'Nuclear Technology Day' at the Natanz underground nuclear facility, where 164 IR-6 centrifuges and 30 IR-5 centrifuges were connected in a cascade (linked structure) and operated.

According to the nuclear deal signed between Iran and the U.S. in 2015, Iran is only allowed to use IR-1 centrifuges for uranium enrichment. Centrifuges with better performance than IR-1 can only be operated for testing purposes without actual uranium enrichment. Iran's operation of improved centrifuges is seen as pressure to lift U.S. economic sanctions.

Meanwhile, a U.S. State Department official emphasized that sanctions related to nuclear issues are separate from those related to terrorism support, proxy war support, and ballistic missile development. He said, "The U.S. has the right to impose sanctions for reasons unrelated to the nuclear issue."

The Trump administration restored all related sanctions it had previously lifted when it withdrew from the nuclear deal. It also added sanctions related to activities such as terrorism support.

The Washington Post (WP) focused on $7 billion (7.8 trillion won) in funds frozen in South Korea under the name of the Central Bank of Iran. Analysts say that Iran's seizure of the South Korean chemical tanker Korea Chemihos was largely driven by frustration over being unable to use the funds frozen in South Korea.

Iran has suggested that allowing access to these funds could serve as a turning point to break the stalemate. According to WP, Iranian officials said that if these funds are released, they would be used to purchase humanitarian goods such as medical devices via Switzerland.

The U.S. State Department stated regarding Iran's release of the Korea Chemihos and its captain the previous day, "The United States has not approved the release of Iranian funds frozen in South Korean banks." The second round of talks to restore the nuclear deal is scheduled for the 14th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.