Hurdles stack up on Iran nuclear deal
3 Feb 2015 12:01 AM GMT
There are some in Tehran convinced a final nuclear deal between Iran and world powers has already been sealed. Others are adamant there will never be a pact.
But as uncertainty persists over talks aimed at ending the 12-year standoff on Iran’s disputed atomic programme, hurdles to an agreement are stacking up.
In Washington, lawmakers are considering imposing new sanctions on Tehran despite calls from the White House to give the negotiations more time. Hardline Iranian MPs have responded with threats of their own and are drafting two bills that would undermine the talks.
With the going already tough -- the level of uranium enrichment Iran can conduct and a timetable for lifting sanctions are said to be blocking a deal -- analysts say pressure is being ratcheted up. “Those who oppose any diplomacy between Iran and the West are already seeking to end the process,” said Ellie Geranmayeh, an Iran specialist at the European Council on Foreign Relations. “With time, they will gain further ammunition.”
Although the June 30 deadline for a final agreement between Iran and the P5+1 powers -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the US plus Germany -- is some way off, two earlier deadlines were missed.
But as uncertainty persists over talks aimed at ending the 12-year standoff on Iran’s disputed atomic programme, hurdles to an agreement are stacking up.
In Washington, lawmakers are considering imposing new sanctions on Tehran despite calls from the White House to give the negotiations more time. Hardline Iranian MPs have responded with threats of their own and are drafting two bills that would undermine the talks.
With the going already tough -- the level of uranium enrichment Iran can conduct and a timetable for lifting sanctions are said to be blocking a deal -- analysts say pressure is being ratcheted up. “Those who oppose any diplomacy between Iran and the West are already seeking to end the process,” said Ellie Geranmayeh, an Iran specialist at the European Council on Foreign Relations. “With time, they will gain further ammunition.”
Although the June 30 deadline for a final agreement between Iran and the P5+1 powers -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the US plus Germany -- is some way off, two earlier deadlines were missed.
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