Iran nuclear talks

With the world’s attention understandably fixed on the catastrophe unfolding in Ukraine, another potential global crisis is looming on the horizon in the form of Iran’s nuclear programme. According to diplomatic reports, talks aimed at reviving the controversial 2015 nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which sought to limit Iran’s ability to build nuclear weapons, are reaching a climax.

The JCPOA has been in jeopardy since Donald Trump withdrew Washington’s support, claiming it was the “worst deal ever” because it failed to take into account other aspects of Iran’s nuclear programme, such as its development of ballistic missiles. Iran responded by resuming work on enriching uranium. Following the latest round of negotiations in Vienna, Corinne Kitsell, the UK’S representative, gave the blunt warning that “Iran’s nuclear programme has never before been this advanced, and is exposing the international community to unprecedented levels of risk”.

There is therefore an urgent need to prevent the nightmare scenario of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons. There are mounting concerns, however, that President Joe Biden may be willing to make too many concessions to Tehran in his desperation to strike a deal. One of the attractions of achieving an agreement soon for Mr Biden is that, by easing sanctions against Iran, the country’s oil would again be available on global markets, easing the shortages caused by the recent measures imposed against Russia. But any deal that fails to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions will be deemed a failure, as it will inevitably lead to renewed conflict in the Middle East, especially if Israel decides to act against a tangible threat to its existence.