Russian deputy foreign minister admits collapse of Iran nuclear deal

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the nuclear deal with Iran, is teetering on the brink of collapse, according to a recent statement by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

Speaking on the "Middle East Express" podcast produced by the Primakov Center for Foreign Policy Cooperation, Ryabkov highlighted the precarious state of the agreement, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"The nuclear deal with Iran has stopped at the point from where movement toward the complete collapse of the agreement can begin," Ryabkov stated. His remarks underscore the fragile nature of the 2015 accord, which aimed to curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Despite the dire outlook, Ryabkov expressed a sliver of hope, noting that diplomatic avenues remain open. "The resource of diplomatic work has not been fully exhausted yet," he emphasized. The Russian diplomat added that efforts are ongoing to influence all parties involved in order to salvage the agreement. "The Russian side continues to influence its opponents in order to avoid the failure of the deal," he said.

The JCPOA has faced numerous challenges over the years, particularly after the United States withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran. The deal’s European signatories, along with Russia and China, have struggled to keep it alive amidst escalating tensions and violations.

Adding to the complexity, Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), announced on May 5 that Iran plans to begin construction of a new facility at the Karun nuclear power plant. The project, known as the "nuclear island," is a critical part of Iran's nuclear infrastructure. This development has raised further concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions and the future of the JCPOA.