The U.S. considers "a small step for a small step" with Iran on the Iranian nuclear issue
Three sources told Reuters on the 8th that in order to restart the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue, the U.S. government is considering a series of plans, including the U.S. and Iran each going back to the agreement in "small steps", without having to fully implement the provisions of the agreement at one time. Obligation to break the deadlock.
[Under consideration]
A source familiar with the U.S. government’s assessment of the Iranian nuclear agreement said that the so-called "one small step for one small step" program between the United States and Iran refers to the United States giving Iran some "economic benefits", but it is less beneficial than lifting sanctions against Iran. It is necessary to stop further breaking the restrictions on nuclear activities imposed by the Iranian nuclear agreement, and even "reverse" some of the previous breakthroughs.
The source said that the US government "is seriously considering" various options.
Iran reached an Iran nuclear agreement with the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany in 2015.
Under this agreement, Iran promised to restrict its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions by the United Nations, the United States and the European Union.
In May 2018, the US government led by then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Iran nuclear agreement, and subsequently restarted and added a series of sanctions against Iran.
Since May 2019, Iran has gradually suspended the implementation of some of the terms of the agreement, but said the measures taken are "reversible."
Iran and the United States have recently opened conditions for returning to the Iran nuclear agreement, and both require each other to take the first step.
The United States requires Iran to re-fulfil the agreement, and Iran requires the United States to lift sanctions.
Another source told a Reuters reporter on the 8th that once the new administration led by US President Joseph Biden determines that negotiations for the United States and Iran to fully implement the Iran nuclear agreement will take too long, a compromise plan may be adopted.
In order to save the Iran nuclear agreement, the Iranian government previously proposed a "synchronization" plan.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Zarif said on the 1st that both Iran and the United States have simultaneously taken actions required to return to the agreement or resolve the current dilemma.
【Options】
Since the United States withdrew from the Iran nuclear agreement and sanctioned Iran, relations between the two countries have continued to deteriorate.
Reuters predicts that once the "small step for small step" program is implemented, the relationship between the two parties may ease slightly.
The news agency reported that in order to save the Iran nuclear deal, the economic benefits the US provided to Iran may include no longer imposing restrictions on Iran’s access to IMF loans and allowing Iran to use credit facilities proposed by the European Union.
A Western diplomat said that Iran’s application for a loan from the International Monetary Fund is very likely to be approved and that the EU’s provision of credit facilities for Iran is “reasonable and feasible”.
The United Kingdom, France, and Germany set up the "Trade Support Tool" (INSTEX) settlement mechanism in early 2019 to seek barter with Iran through netting between local European exporters and importers to avoid direct fund transfers in order to allow the EU Member states and Iran circumvent US sanctions and still continue to trade.
However, this mechanism has not worked so far.
The French government proposed in September 2019 to provide Iran with a $15 billion credit line in exchange for Iran to resume fulfilling all the terms of the nuclear agreement.
The French side did not specify the loan provider when throwing out this plan, and emphasized that loan granting requires the tacit approval of the US government.
【Not sure】
Three sources emphasized to Reuters reporters that Biden has not yet determined a strategy on how to return to the Iran nuclear agreement.
The current position of the US government is still that Iran must fully resume the implementation of the Iran nuclear agreement before the US will lift its sanctions.
A spokesperson for the US State Department who requested anonymity said that the Biden administration will also consult with Congress and allies to restart the Iran nuclear agreement.
It is unclear how long the Biden administration will take to finalize the strategy.
A bill passed by the Iranian parliament in December requires that if the United States does not relax sanctions against Iran in late February, the Iranian government should further break through the restrictions of the Iran nuclear agreement.
The Iranian presidential election is scheduled to be held in June, and the domestic election atmosphere is getting stronger.
Western media speculate that if a hardline president is elected, the prospect of the Iranian nuclear agreement is unpredictable.
Reuters reported that once the United States relaxes any sanctions on Iran and Iran fails to fully implement the agreement, Republicans will certainly criticize the new government led by Democratic President Biden.
Former U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Nikki Haley tweeted on the 7th that the Biden administration "should be aware of the reality in 2021, and not just stay in 2015."
She hinted that the reality is that Iran has gradually suspended the implementation of some of the terms of the agreement, and once the United States makes concessions but does not receive sufficient response, it will not pay off.
(Du Juan) (Xinhua News Agency Special Feature)