The signatories to the faltering Iran the nuclear deal kicked off a meeting in Vienna on Tuesday as the United States is bidding to replace international sanctions on the Islamic republic and extend an arms embargo.
Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia are struggling to save the landmark 2015 accord with Iran, which has been progressively stepping up its nuclear activities since last year.
Iran maintains it is authorized to do so under the deal — which swapped sanctions relief for Iran’s agreement to scale back its nuclear program following the US withdrawal from the accord in 2018 and the reimposition of sanctions.
In a boost to Tuesday’s talks, the Iranian atomic energy last week admitted to allowing inspectors of the United Nations nuclear watchdog to visit two sites suspected of having hosted undeclared activity in the early 2000s.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Rafael Grossi had traveled to Iran on his first trip since taking up the top post last year and after months of calling for access.
Events from any site visits are, however, expected to take three months, according to a diplomat familiar with the matter, so “it risks being a problem then with the Iranians” if anything undeclared and nuclear-related is found.
