Representatives from Iran and six world powers are back in Vienna to finalise a nuclear deal. They want to turn an inconclusive agreement reached in Lausanne on April 2nd into a full and comprehensive accord by June 30th. Robert Litwak, director of International Security Studies at the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars in Washington DC, has followed the talks closely. He shares his thoughts on the process with FRANCE 24's Armen Georgian.
There is already concern that the June 30th deadline could slip, but Robert Litwak is confident a deal can be agreed on. "I think we will see a deal by June 30th, but it's going to be a heavy lift", he said.
Nonetheless, he believes there are a lot of concerns that Washington needs to address. The nuclear talks have created a rift between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Saudi Arabia also has looked unfavourably unpon a deal that could give Iran some much-needed breathing room to pursue its regional ambitions.
Robert Litwak explains that for those opposed to a deal, the concern is that the lifting of sanctions "would give Iran access to billions of dollars in revenue that could be used to finance its objectionable conduct in other areas - Yemen, Syria, its relationship with Hezbollah".
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