Iran Nuclear Talks Continue to Stall

Since early September, talks to renew the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have been underway, albeit they seem to have hit a roadblock. This comes after Iran responded to western characterizations of its position vis these talks as ‘negative,’’ or uncooperative. 

A nuclear probe sent by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said that it detected particulate matter at several Iranian sites, the explanation for which, as provided by Iranian authorities, it considers unsatisfactory. The presence of these particles would, according to the IAEA’s concerns, be inconsistent with a purely civilian use of the infrastructure in question. 

There is an indication that Iran has increased its supply of enriched uranium, and that the country is not currently collaborating as IAEA inspectors would like. Indeed, after a June resolution by the U.S., UK, France, and Germany condemning Iran for insufficient collaboration, Iran deactivated IAEA-installed cameras at several facilities. 

Iranian authorities have, for their part, suggested that the IAEA is being influenced by political pressure from Israel and others. 

It now seems the Biden administration may wait until after the midterm elections to address the issue further.