VIP Class Notes (Luca)

Talks between Iran and the USA to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal are set to resume. At this early stage, the discussions will be indirect and there will be no face-to-face meetings between high-level officials. The discussions will take place in Vienna and European officials will act as intermediaries. On the table is the revival of the 2015 pact under which economic sanctions on Iran were eased in return for curbs on Iran’s nuclear program. This pact was intended to make it harder for Iran to develop nuclear weapons and was abandoned by Donald Trump under his administration. Officials in Tehran have always denied they have had any intentions to develop such weapons.

Negotiators on both sides say the talks will be difficult and neither side foresees any early breakthroughs. US President Joe Biden is keen to re-engage with Iran and revive the nuclear deal. He hopes Iran will resume its compliance with the 2015 deal. US negotiator Robert Malley said: “The primary issues to be discussed are actually quite simple. They are, on the one hand, the nuclear steps that Iran would need to take to return to compliance with the 2015 nuclear accord, and on the other hand, the sanctions-relief steps that the United States would need to take.” Iran said it is ready to “reverse its remedial measures, which were taken because of the opposite side’s violation of the treaty.”

Vocabulary

Mediate verb Mediator Noun

The role of the mediator in a meeting is to make sure the discussions stays on track and people don’t get too angry.

Intermediary a third party their to mediate discussion between people who is impartial to the outcome of the conversation.

Impartial (neutral, no preference)

Partial (to have a preference towards something)

e.g. I am partial towards chocolate and impartial towards vegetables.

Curb (cut back on gradually)

eg. I should curb my daily consumption of Chocolate

compliance noun (to comply with)

e.g Cars must be in compliance with regulations regarding CO2 emissions.

Accord (peace deal)

Remedial adjective Remedy noun/verb

You need to qpologise to remedy this situation

I need a remedial massage for my shoulder problem.