Skip to main content

Iran Eager to Restart Nuclear Talks

Banafsheh Khanoush writes that Iran is sending signals that it is eager to restart negotiations and make concessions on its nuclear program.
Iran's deputy negotiator Ali Bagheri speaks during a news conference in Almaty April 5, 2013. World powers and Iran still appeared far apart on Friday in negotiations on Tehran's nuclear programme that were aimed at calming tensions which could boil over into war. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov (KAZAKHSTAN  - Tags: POLITICS) - RTXY9LR

Iran seemed inflexible in the recent nuclear talks with the P5+1, the last of which was held in Almaty on April 5-6.  But Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri said last week that Tehran offered multiple options to make the two rounds of talks in Almaty a success including an earlier one held in February.

Bagheri added Iran was concerned the talks will reach a stalemate. He compared Almaty with failed negotiations between Iran and Britain, France and Germany in 2003-2005. Back then, led by reformist President Mohammad Khatami, Iran was willing to make a concession over its nuclear program which its hard-liners rejected. The result: the rise of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who refused to halt the country’s nuclear enrichment program.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.