Iran and the world powers are set to resume the nuclear talks Dec. 9. Following last week’s talks in Vienna, the first in five months, officials returned to their capitals for consultations. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian wrote in a Russian paper ahead of these talks that “the window for negotiations will not remain open forever.” The article was summarized in Iranian media outlets. Abdollahian’s message was specifically directed at the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the United States. While Washington is not directly part of these talks due to their 2018 exit from the nuclear deal known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), they are essentially being represented by the three European countries. 

Amir-Abdollahian wrote that Iran is seeking the “full implementation” of the JCPOA. He continued that while the country seeks the “removal of illegal US sanctions,” they are taking steps to “neutralize the impact” of sanctions on their country. When the United States exited the 2015 deal, it reapplied sanctions. In response, Iran took steps away from the terms of the deal but remained in it. 

Ali Bagheri Kani, the lead negotiator for Iran, visited Moscow after last week’s talks for consultations. He said that Iran is waiting for “actionable steps” by the West, meaning the United States, the UK, France and Germany. While in Moscow, he told Iranian media that Iran had consulted both with the Russians and Chinese before the previous round of talks.