Iran said Monday it remains "optimistic" about a possible revival of the 2015 nuclear deal after the European Union tabled a proposal aiming for a compromise in the talks stalled since March.

"We remain optimistic that the negotiation process will lead us to a logical and reasonable outcome," foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said at his weekly news conference.

The comment comes after EU foreign policy chief and coordinator of the nuclear talks between Iran and world powers, Josep Borrell, last Tuesday submitted a new draft text and urged the different sides of the negotiations to accept it or "risk a dangerous nuclear crisis".

Negotiations in Vienna began in April 2021 to restore the deal, but have stalled since March amid differences between Tehran and Washington on several issues.

The two sides negotiated indirectly through the European Union coordinator in a bid to bring the US back into the deal and to lift sanctions on Iran, on the basis that Tehran would return to its nuclear commitments.

Qatar hosted indirect talks at the end of June between the United States and Iran in a bid to get the Vienna process back on track, but those discussions broke up after two days without any breakthrough.

Borrell said the draft text includes "hard-won compromises by all sides" and "addresses, in precise detail, the sanctions lifting as well as the nuclear steps needed to restore" the 2015 pact.

"The Iranian side has carefully reviewed the text and presented its views," Kanani said. "It is possible that in the near future we can reach a conclusion regarding the timetable for the negotiations."

- Enrichment -

"We will probably see a new round of negotiations," Kanani added, but noted that "it depends entirely on the willingness of the other side, especially the American side."

Washington "must show that it is ready for a reasonable, logical and lasting agreement", he said.

The 2015 agreement gave Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its atomic programme to guarantee that it could not develop a nuclear weapon -- something it has always denied seeking.

But the United States' unilateral withdrawal from the accord in 2018 under then-president Donald Trump, and Washington's reimposition of biting economic sanctions, prompted Iran to begin rolling back on its own commitments.

Iran has since increased the levels of uranium enrichment, reaching the level of 60 percent, far above the limit of 3.67 percent set in the deal.

On Monday evening, deputy head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation Behrouz Kamalvandi told state TV that the organisation has started feeding gas into "hundreds" of new centrifuges, including the advanced IR-6.

The International Atomic Energy Agency "had already been notified of this action," he added, without specifying at what percentage the enrichment will be.

The IAEA reported in July that Tehran had started "feeding... a cascade of... centrifuges" at a fuel enrichment plant.

The techniques facilitate the process and would make it easier for Iran to switch to a different level of enriching uranium.

Iran nuclear negotiations under Raisi
Tehran, Iran (AFP) Aug 2, 2022 - Iran's ultraconservative President Ebrahim Raisi came to power a year ago amid attempts to revive a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

The accord gave Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme to guarantee that it could not develop an atomic weapon -- something it has always denied seeking.

Former US president Donald Trump dumped the deal in 2018 and began reimposing painful economic sanctions, prompting Iran to start stepping back from its commitments.

In April 2021, with President Joe Biden in the White House, talks on rescuing the accord began in Vienna.

But they have stalled since March amid differences between Tehran and Washington on several issues.

Here are the main developments over the past year:

- Raisi firm on sanctions -

As he is sworn in by the parliament on August 5, 2021, Raisi says Tehran backs any diplomatic moves to lift US sanctions, but will not bow to pressure.

Talks on reviving the nuclear deal resume in November after a pause around Iran's presidential polls.

Iran says its delegation "is in Vienna with a firm determination to reach an agreement".

- Iran's 'red lines' -

February 2022 sees expressions of optimism from the parties to the talks, but Russia's invasion of Ukraine slows the issue down later in the month.

On March 16, Tehran says two of its "red line" issues remain outstanding.

On March 21, US State Department spokesman Ned Price says an agreement "is neither imminent nor is it certain".

On March 30, Washington announces new sanctions targeting several entities it says are involved in procuring supplies for Iran's ballistic missile programme.

Tehran says the move shows US "ill will" towards the Iranian people.

On May 25, the US point man on Iran Rob Malley warns "the odds of a successful negotiation are lower than the odds of failure."

- IAEA condemnation -

On June 8, the IAEA adopts a resolution submitted by Britain, France, Germany and the United States that condemns Iran for the first time in two years.

Iran responds by removing surveillance cameras at nuclear facilities.

IAEA head Rafael Grossi says Tehran's move could be "a fatal blow" to negotiations.

Germany, Britain and France urge Iran to "cease its nuclear escalation", while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warns of "a deepening nuclear crisis".

- New US sanctions -

On June 16, Washington sanctions a network of Iranian petrochemical firms, as well as alleged front companies in China and the United Arab Emirates.

Raisi condemns the sanctions, while the foreign ministry says the "train has still not derailed" in the negotiations.

The UAE urges Iran to provide reassurances on the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme.

- 'No progress' at Qatar talks -

In late June, two days of EU-brokered indirect talks in Doha between Iran and the United States conclude with "no progress made", the State Department says.

Britain, France and Germany urge Iran to accept a deal on the table since March and reverse steps away from compliance with the IAEA.

Early the next month, Iran says the United States bears responsibility for the failure of the Doha negotiations.

On a visit to Jerusalem, Biden on July 14 vows to use "all" American power to stop Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The next day, Iran says it is "more determined" to protect its own interests in the negotiations.

On July 25, it says it will not be rushed into a "quick" deal.

- 'Dangerous nuclear crisis' -

On July 26, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says he has submitted a draft text of a deal, urging parties to accept it or "risk a dangerous nuclear crisis", writing in the Financial Times.

On August 1, Iran says it remains "optimistic" that the negotiation process will lead to "a logical and reasonable outcome".

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Macron says Iran nuclear deal 'still possible'
Paris (AFP) July 23, 2022
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday told his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi that reviving the landmark 2015 deal on Tehran's nuclear capabilities was "still possible" but must happen "as soon as possible". Macron also "expressed his disappointment" at the absence of progress after the suspension of talks in Vienna and underlined the need for Iran to return to the accord and implement its nuclear commitments, according to a French presidency statement. The French leader's telephone ca ... read more