WASHINGTON — Biden administration extended limited sanctions relief to Iran’s nuclear program on Friday, as talks to save the stalled 2015 nuclear deal enter a critical phase.
As US negotiators prepare to return to Vienna for what might be a pivotal meeting, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed multiple sanctions waivers linked to Iran’s civilian nuclear activities.
The waivers are meant to induce Iran to return to compliance with the 2015 agreement, which it has been breaking since former President Donald Trump withdrew from it in 2018 and re-imposed US sanctions.
Iran has requested that all sanctions relief provided under the accord be restored in order for it to return to compliance.
The move on Friday removes the danger of sanctions against foreign governments and corporations from Russia, China, and Europe that had been cooperating with non-military components of Iran’s nuclear program under the provisions of the 2015 agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA.
The waivers were restored, according to administration officials, to assist move the Vienna talks forward.
The Associated Press got a copy of the State Department notice as well as the actual waivers signed by Blinken.
Critics of the nuclear deal who encouraged Trump to pull out protested, suggesting that if the Biden administration wanted to return to the 2015 agreement, it should at least demand some concessions from Iran before providing it sanctions relief.
Source: News Channel
