Iran Withdraws Demand to Halt IAEA Nuclear Inspections... Rising Hopes for Nuclear Deal Agreement

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Expectations for a breakthrough in the restoration talks of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) are growing as the Iranian government is reported to have withdrawn its demand to prohibit additional nuclear inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which had been one of the major sticking points in the negotiations.

On the 23rd (local time), CNN cited a senior U.S. government official saying, "Iran has withdrawn its demand to stop additional inspections by the IAEA of undeclared nuclear materials found within its territory, which had been one of the conditions for restoring the nuclear deal." This is known to be the second condition withdrawal following the earlier withdrawal of the demand to remove the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization on the 15th.

With Iran withdrawing two of the three major demands it had presented during the negotiations, expectations for a deal have significantly increased. Iran had previously demanded the following as conditions for a deal: ▲ removal of the IRGC's terrorist organization designation ▲ cessation of IAEA inspections of undeclared nuclear facilities ▲ prevention of the U.S. from reneging on the agreement.

CNN reported that it remains uncertain whether Iran will continue to insist on its last remaining condition, which is to prohibit the U.S. from withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal. The U.S. government has not yet announced a final position regarding the deal and continues to review the situation, but with Iran’s proactive withdrawal of conditions, the possibility of reaching an agreement is expected to increase.

Earlier, the U.S. State Department also expressed an optimistic stance regarding the deal. Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said in a press briefing, "The agreement is now closer than it was two weeks ago," and added, "We are working to respond as soon as possible."

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