ISLAMABAD: Expectations are high as talks began in Vienna between remaining signatories of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and Iranian officials.

This revival of dialogue has provided an opportunity to both the United States and Iran to revisit their policies and achieve some sort of confluence.

These views were expressed by panelists of a webinar highlighting the JCPOA and international multilateral diplomacy, organised by Institute of Regional Studies (IRS).

Addressing participants, retired Lt Gen Abdul Qayyum said if the result of this dialogue is not fruitful, not only will it undermine credibility of US foreign policy but also complicate Iran’s position regionally and internationally.

Whilst highlighting US President Joe Biden’s multilateral approach, he hoped that good sense will prevail this time around and added that there is a greater responsibility on the US to take negotiations with Iran to a meaningful level.

Iranian scholar Prof Mohammad Reza Takhshid said that the role of JCPOA is crucial in breaking the deadlock in communication between the US and Iran. While responding to a question about the next election and its impact on negotiations, Mr Takhshid said right now, the Iranian people, politicians, and the supreme leader believe that it is in the country’s benefit to join the talks to revive the JCPOA in its original form.

Prof Syed Qandeel Abbas from Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) said if the deal is revived, it would certainly help Iran in improving its economy. If the talks are not successful, Iran will have to reach out to other countries to circumvent US sanctions, in line with which, Tehran has already entered into a partnership with China.

Revival of the nuclear deal however, is crucial as it can potentially thwart regional as well as international polarisation, Dr Qandeel pointed out.

Prof Samina Yasmin said failure of the JCPOA will most likely fan radicalization.Concluding the session, Imran Sardar from IRS said nothing can be said for sure at this moment about outcome of the JCPOA talks and success of upcoming dialogue largely depends upon loyalty from both sides to the agrees terms and conditions.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2021