Negotiations between the United States and Iran: Any progress on the Iranian side will be neutralized by internal traps, says Jacques Audibert

INTERVIEW – François Hollande’s diplomatic advisor negotiated the 2015 nuclear agreement with the Iranians for France. Particularly with Abbas Araghchi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is part of the delegation sent to Pakistan.

LE FIGARO. – What can we expect from the negotiations that started today in Islamabad, Pakistan, between the Americans and the Iranians?

JACQUES AUDIBERT. – It would be surprising if they succeed. In negotiations, the foundations are never quite clear. But in this case, they are extremely fragile because there is no common ground to agree on. Secondly, the American delegation led by JD Vance will have to deal with Abbas Araghchi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I negotiated with him for several years during the discussions on the nuclear agreement, the JCPOA. It was not easy…

What kind of negotiator was he?

Very academic, very technical. He knows all his files inside out, especially on nuclear issues, which will be at the center of the talks. To negotiate with the Iranians, you have to lay the groundwork for weeks, and I don’t see the American team tolerating such long…

[Context: The interview discusses the current negotiations between the Americans and the Iranians in Pakistan. Jacques Audibert shares his experience negotiating with Abbas Araghchi in previous nuclear talks.]
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