You are currently viewing Iran, U.S. Close In on Nuclear Deal Text but Hurdles Remain

Iran, U.S. Close In on Nuclear Deal Text but Hurdles Remain

Tehran says it will only sign a final deal after U.N. drops probe into its nuclear program

Laurence Norman

Iran’s chief negotiator in the nuclear talks, Ali Bagheri-Kani, in Vienna on Thursday. The U.N. probe into the man-made nuclear material found in Iran is highly sensitive for Tehran, which has always claimed it has never sought nuclear weapons. Photo: LISA LEUTNER/REUTERS

Negotiations between Iran and the U.S. on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal are close to completion, the European Union’s senior negotiator at the talks said Sunday evening, but it remained unclear whether Tehran will accept the final deal.

The text of an agreement could be closed in coming hours, said the EU’s Enrique Mora, the coordinator of the talks. However, Iran must still decide whether to set aside its demand that the nuclear deal can only be revived if a multiyear United Nations atomic agency probe into its nuclear program is closed.