Indirect talks to revive nuclear deal begin between U.S. and Iran

European intermediaries began shuttling between Iranian and U.S. officials in Vienna on Tuesday as they aim at reviving the 2015 agreement that restricted Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. This nuclear deal was abandoned by Washington three years ago.

Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei told reporters that they are confident that they are taking the right track, and if America’s will, seriousness, and honesty are proven, it could be a good sign for a better future for this agreement.

Viennese hotel is the place fixed for the remaining parties to the deal will first meet for preparatory talks amid snowy conditions in the Austrian capital, where the pact was originally reached in 2015.

Officials from Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany will attend as intermediaries between Iran and the United States, shuttling between both delegations. 

Special envoy Rob Malley will head the U.S. delegation in a nearby hotel.

President Joe Biden’s administration is willing to revive the accord but has said this requires negotiations. Tehran has rejected any direct meeting for now in talks with Washington about both sides resuming abidance with the deal.

The U.S. and other economic sanctions on Tehran were removed in return to bring control on Iran’s nuclear program to make it harder to develop a nuclear weapon under the 2015 accord.

Malley told NPR radio on Tuesday morning that it will include discussions about identifying the steps that the U.S. and Iran have to take.