Nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers enter a critical phase Tuesday, May 13, amid cautious optimism as negotiators start hammering out a draft agreement ahead of the July 20 deadline.
Such a deal would effectively stop Iran from acquiring atomic weapons while removing sanctions strangling Iran’s economy.
If achieved, this could resolve one of the most intractable geopolitical problems of the 21st century after a decade of diplomatic failure, rising tensions and even threats of all-out war.
“If the odds of the talks collapsing are high, the stakes of failure are higher,” Ali Vaez, Iran analyst at the International Crisis Group, told the media. “Time is of the essence.”