In a last-ditch effort to get the Iran nuclear deal back on track, Enrique Mora, the European Union’s deputy foreign policy chief, was in Tehran this week for a four-day visit. Yet signs of growing ties with China that came just before his visit indicate Iran may be prepping for backup options. 

Since Iran refuses to directly engage in talks with the United States, Mora has been the main intermediary for almost a year on efforts to revive the deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). According to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, Mora’s latest effort may be the “last bullet” for breaking the impasse.  

Though the options or concessions offered by Mora in Tehran are not known, it’s likely he highlight Iran’s gains from previous talks during his meeting with Iran’s top negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani. 

Granting Tehran relief from sanctions in exchange for some controls on its nuclear program, the JCPOA was signed between the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia, Germany and Iran in 2015. However, former President Donald Trump found the checks on Iran to be insufficient and walked out of it in 2018.