The United States and Iran are “very close” to reaching a new agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme, the US envoy for the Middle East, Steve Vance, said on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters in Geneva after the latest round of talks, Vance cautioned that a final accord had not been secured. “We are very close but not there yet.
The remaining issues are narrow but difficult,” he said. The negotiations, which have been ongoing intermittently for months, aim to impose limits on Iran’s uranium enrichment in exchange for easing sanctions. British diplomats, monitoring the talks closely, are assessing the potential impact on non-proliferation efforts across the region.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said London welcomed the progress but stressed the need for a “robust and verifiable” deal. “A nuclear-armed Iran would be profoundly destabilising for the Middle East and beyond. We are working with our partners to ensure any agreement upholds international security standards,” the spokesperson added.
The coming days are critical, as both sides now consult with their respective capitals. Tehran has demanded the removal of all sanctions linked to its nuclear activity, while Washington insists on rigorous inspections and limits on enrichment levels. Analysts note that a breakthrough could reshape energy dynamics in the Gulf and reduce tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
However, scepticism remains in some quarters, with Israel and Gulf states expressing concerns about Iran’s regional behaviour. The UK’s role as a signatory to the original 2015 nuclear deal, the JCPOA, gives it a stake in the outcome. As Vance noted, the final step may be the hardest.
The next round of talks is expected in Vienna within a fortnight.
