World leaders argue that an Iran agreement is still conceivable In Berlin

BERLIN (AFP) – After discussions in Berlin on Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and European allies claimed that reviving the Iran nuclear agreement was still feasible, but that “time is running short.”

Blinken told reporters that negotiators in Vienna seeking to resurrect the 2015 agreement with Tehran had made “moderate progress in the previous several weeks” but were not taking anything for granted.

“My own view, based on conversations with all of our colleagues, is that returning to mutual compliance is still conceivable,” Blinken added.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated at a joint press conference that “urgent progress” was required in discussions to save the pact.

“The window of opportunity for finding a solution is shrinking,” she remarked.

“The talks have reached a critical juncture. We need quick, urgent progress; else, we will not be able to establish an unified agreement.”

Her French colleague, Jean-Yves Le Drian, who was also in Berlin for discussions centred on the Ukraine situation, warned that “negotiations with Tehran cannot go on so slowly.”

He stated that progress in the talks had been “partial, hesitant, and lethargic,” and that it was now critical to “speed up the pace” or risk failing.

Blinken acknowledged that the discussions were at a “decisive point,” but added that “time is running out” to achieve an agreement.