Progress in Iranian nuclear talks?

Istanbul was the setting for the P5+1 talks on the 14^th of April.  Six world powers (the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany) and Iran met to discussed the issues surrounding Iran’s controversial nuclear plans and its uranium enrichment program.  The talks are the first of any kind between Iran and foreign nations for 15 months.

The key focus of the dialog was to establish confidence building measures after months of standoff, with the backdrop of rumours that Iran is weaponizing its nuclear program and that US is backing Israel in primitive strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

To the extent of rebuilding a degree of trust and openness the talks have been effective; the chief Iranian negotiator, Saeed Jalili, praised the progress of the talks. "We have already said we support and welcome talks," Jalili said. "We had differences of opinion but the points we agreed on are important and tangible."The European Union's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, described the talks as "constructive and useful".  There was also a general belief that Iran had dramatically adjusted its approach from previous talks, where they had refused to compromise, or even discuss its nuclear program at all.

However, despite the perceived progress there is still doubt as to whether an effective comprise can be met.  At every step of the previous negotiations the West has demanded that Iran end its uranium enrichment program for fear that it will perfect the process enabling the production of fissile material, suitable for making a nuclear weapon.   Meanwhile Iran says that its aims are entirely peaceful, and that uranium enrichment is its non-negotiable right.  

Some delegates were more cautious in their review of the talks; British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, welcomed the talks but said there was "a long way to go" to resolve the dispute.  While the French Foreign Minister, Alain Juppe, said Iran needed "to make urgent and concrete gestures to establish confidence" in the next round of talks which will be held in Baghdad in May.

Despite the positive steps made at re-establishing an effective dialog the central issue of a lack of trust between Iran and the West undermines the nuclear dispute.   For decades, Iran and the West have shared an overwhelming lack of faith in each other's intentions.   So is comprise possible?  A situation where Iran can enrich uranium for a peaceful nuclear program without the fear of sanctions, and the West has suitable assurances and access for weapons inspectors so that they can be confided Iran is not trying to develop nuclear weapons – well this still seems unlikely.

Time will tell whether the talks in Baghdad can produce a positive outcome, but for now the talks in Istanbul have been a tentative first step in the right direction.