Efforts by world powers to salvage the landmark nuclear deal with Iran pick up on Friday in Vienna, where officials will meet for the first time without U.S. diplomats present.
Russia, China, the U.K., France and Germany will discuss the economic incentives Iran needs to keep caps on its nuclear work in place, according to officials who’ll attend the talks. Diplomats will also consider verification activities of International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors, who reported on Thursday that Iran continues abiding by its commitments.
President Donald Trump’s May 8 order to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, and reimpose U.S. sanctions has cast doubt over whether the deal can still work. While IAEA inspectors have reported Iran has kept below key nuclear limits imposed by the accord, Tehran’s government insists remaining parties step up economic relief if they want those caps to hold.