TIME RUNNING SHORT FOR IRAN: Talks to rein in Iran’s nuclear arms programme are on the verge of collapse, a report said on Friday, after the US and three European powers agreed in Paris consultations on the need for Tehran to return quickly to negotiations amid growing alarm over a delay. More than four months have passed since Iran stepped away from the negotiations in Vienna, saying that it would return, but has balked at setting a date, and Tehran has been using the time to continue to advance its uranium enrichment and spin more centrifuges. At the Paris talks, France said: “It is urgent and essential that Iran ends violations of unprecedented gravity” of the nuclear accord. Earlier this month, the US and Israel warned that they are exploring a “plan B” for dealing with Iran. Is the patience within Joe Biden’s team wearing thin? [COMMENT BY: Stephen N.R., Senior Associate Editor]
AP