Resumption of the Iran Nuclear Deal Talks (JCPOA) ? Assessment of the European Role

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal is a non-proliferation deal signed in July 2015 between Iran and the E3/EU+3 [the United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany, High Representative of the European Union (EU) of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, United States (US), China, Russia].[i] The deal places restrictions on Iran?s nuclear development programme in exchange for relief from sanctions imposed by the UNSC, the US and the EU (2006?2012) on Iran. Its aim is that ?under no circumstances? Iran should develop or acquire nuclear weapons, thereby reducing the prospects of conflicts in the region.[ii]The deal came under crisis in 2018 when the US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from it and restored US sanctions on Iran. The US withdrawal and unilateral imposition of the sanctions placed Europe in a difficult position. However, the European leaders unanimously agreed that the EU will stay in the agreement as long as Iran remains fully committed to it. A new hope for the restoration of JCPOA was provided by President Joe Biden?s arrival in the office. This was exhibited in a joint statement issued by the US and E3 countries (the UK, Germany, France) in February 2021, expressing US? intention to return to talks with Iran. This led to the resumption of consultations in April 2021 in Vienna, hosted by the European External Action Service (EEAS). The E3/EU has since then played a significant role in facilitating the talks betw