Indirect Iran nuclear talks resumed in Doha this week, with Qatar brokering between Iran’s chief negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani and US Special Iran Envoy Rob Malley. Talks had broken down in March after Russia demanded written guarantees that any Ukraine-related sanctions wouldn’t impede its trade with Iran. Iran then demanded that the US lift sanctions on the IRGC (MEES, 18 March).

The indirect talks resumed after EU High Representative Josep Borrell visited Tehran for high-level discussions. Speaking in Tehran on 25 June, Mr Borrell said “My visit has one main objective: it was to break the current dynamic of escalation and to break the stalemate of the negotiations of the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]. It was of paramount importance to give a new momentum to bring the JCPOA on track.” (CONTINUED - 304 WORDS)