Iranian negotiators have left for Vienna to resume talks aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). According to Iran, much of the text for the terms to bring both sides into the deal has already been written.

Negotiations aim to bring the United States back into the JCPOA after former President Donald Trump formally withdrew in 2018, as well as to bring Iran back into compliance with the terms of the deal.

Speaking about the progress of the talks, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said rather cryptically that “many of the tables have been prepared and the columns of this table are also ready; some of the parentheses have been erased and agreements on ideas have been made to a large extent and are being converted into words and sentences.”

He added, “What remains of course are key issues, which require a political decision, and the United States needs to state its decision on the remaining issues and the removal of sanctions.” He continued, “If the decisions are made after the return from their capitals, we can move quickly toward a reliable and durable agreement.”