Borrell Offers Few Signs Of Optimism On Resumption Of Vienna Talks

Laurence Norman at the WSJ tweets on EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell's latest comments on the prospect of talks with Iran over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA, Iran nuclear deal) resuming in Vienna any time soon: "...Asked about upcoming Brussels Iran-EU bilat. "No confirmation yet, but things are getting better. And I hope that we will have preparatory meetings in Brussels in the days to come. But I cannot be sure on that." Q. And is the agreement within reach? "Which agreement?" Q. The nuclear deal. "In reach, in reach… I would not say that. Let us continue working on it."...Q. Could you give us some details about the talks with Iran, which should take place on Thursday..."You never know." Q. What does it mean? "You never know, but I am more optimistic today than yesterday."

• Since the transition of power in the summer from reformist President Hassan Rouhani to hardliner Ebrahim Raisi, Tehran has not engaged in any talks with the JCPoA signatories over changes to the agreement that could pave the way for the US rejoining the agreement.