Talks over Iran nuclear deal to resume next week as US questions Tehran's 'seriousness'

A senior State Department official said that questions remain about whether Iran seriously wants to return to compliance with the nuclear deal after talks in Vienna this week aimed at salvaging the landmark 2015 agreement.

The indirect talks will resume in Vienna next week to continue the process of figuring out the steps that the United States and Iran each need to take to get back into compliance with the agreement, which the Trump administration abandoned in 2018. This official reiterated that the United States is prepared to lift sanctions that are "inconsistent" with the 2015 deal and with the benefits that Iran expects from the deal if Iran returns to compliance -- a position they acknowledged is likely to face strong opposition from some in Congress.