Report: Optimism on Iran Deal was “Artificial”

By Hamodia Staff

YERUSHALAYIM – Israeli officials were quoted on Tuesday as saying that reported optimism about a revival of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal was merely a ploy to influence Iranian negotiators to agree to a proposal from the European Union.

“There was a momentary optimistic spirit, but it quickly became clear that this was artificial optimism aimed at pressuring the Iranians in the direction of a decision, in the hope that they would accept the text as they presented it,” Israeli officials told Ynet.

Prospects for a breakthrough were actually quite bleak, they said:

“Essentially there is no change, it is a platform whose purpose is to allow a return to the agreement, but there is no strategic change on the part of the Iranians: they are not interested in accepting this agreement and will find it very difficult to return to an agreement that does not improve on the original conditions.”

On Sunday, diplomats sounded convinced. “We stand 5 minutes or 5 seconds from the finish line,” Russian Ambassador Mikhail Ulyanov told reporters in Vienna, adding that there are “3 or 4 issues” left to be resolved.

“They are sensitive, especially for Iranians and Americans,” Ulyanov said. “I cannot guarantee, but the impression is that we are moving in the right direction.”

Enrique Mora, the EU’s top negotiator, also said he is “absolutely” optimistic about the talks’ progress so far.

“We are advancing, and I expect we will close the negotiations soon,” he told Iranian media.

On Monday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the EU had submitted its “final draft” of a proposed revived nuclear agreement.

“What can be negotiated has been negotiated, and it’s now in a final text. However, behind every technical issue and every paragraph lies a political decision that needs to be taken in the capitals,” Borrell tweeted.

“If these answers are positive, then we can sign this deal,” he added.

EU officials said that they would not consider any more revisions to the draft.