Negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program reach deadlock

In New York, negotiations continue between the representatives of the "Group of Six" and Iran on Tehran's nuclear programme. One of the main problems was issues related to the functioning of the nuclear reactor in Arak. In addition, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, there remains the controversial question of the number of nuclear centrifuges, which the Iranian side can have.

By November 24 Iran and the "six" are expected to sign a comprehensive agreement that would guarantee the "exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme" and determine the control measures by the international community. This document should be the basis for the gradual abolition of the international sanctions against Iran. However, according to the Director of the Centre for the Study of Modern Iran, Rajab Safarov, lately the situation surrounding Iran's nuclear programme came to a dead end: "The eyes of the international community focused on the way in which external factors will influence the attitudes of members of the "six" to Iran's nuclear programme. One of the key factors that influence their position today is the appearance of new parties on the political scene, such as "Islamic State." The countries maintain ties in accordance with their attitudes to this phenomenon. Some countries of the "group of six" are not quite satisfied with the position of Iran with respect to the "Islamic State".

The second factor, which seriously affected the situation concerning Iran's nuclear programme, according to Safarov, is the situation in Ukraine: "The aim is to finally embroil Russia with Europe, to make the economic and political life around Russia unbearable. To do this, all methods are good. As the confrontation between the EU and Russia would be the most destructive for the Europeans themselves, this is done at the behest of the United States, it is clear that at some stage the Europeans will be dissatisfied with the situation as it really will affect the economy and people's lives, the quality of life, etc. To avoid this, one will need to compensate for the energy that the EU is now getting from Russia. The real source that can compensate for the lack of energy could be the increase of production in Saudi Arabia and the build-up of oil production in Iraq."

However, according to Safarov, the increase of production in Saudi Arabia is doubtful, "as the oil industry in the Saudi Arabia is already working on the verge of its potential capacity," but it will be possible to influence the situation in Iraq: "It is impossible without Iran to do so. It is necessary to establish a real prospect of Iranian gas deliveries to Europe in the nearest future. What is is needed here is a chain through Syria. In order to make this chain work, one needs to have a relationship with Iran, Iraq and Syria. Obviously, Iraq and Syria without Iran's participation would not be enough"

"Right now in New York, everyone is discussing what to do to finish at the same time Iran's nuclear programme, on the other hand to make sure that the European and Western public opinion is satisfied that the goals that put the Western countries and the United States in front of it in order to punish Iran with regard to its nuclear program have been achieved. Iran compromised, accepted all the conditions of the West and the IAEA, although it did not retreat from its strategic interests. Iran is well aware that any involvement in the decision of those issues where the Russian interests are vital will cause the reaction of the Russian Federation, so Iran is not interested in confrontation with Russia," Safarov says.