The seventh round of talks on the nuclear issue between Iran and the superpowers, which resumed a few days ago in Vienna, has already reached a dead end, in the face of a tough and uncompromising Iranian position.
The impression is that Western representatives did not internalize, during the long absence of the Iranians from the talks due to the change of government in Tehran, that this is a new game and new players.
None of the 40 members of the new Iranian delegation who arrived in Vienna, the envoys of the new president Raisi, bothered to disperse fake smiles, as former Foreign Minister Muhammad Zarif used to disperse, nor did he try to demonstrate command of foreign languages.
On all of them, it seems, the "spirit of the commander" sang: the head of the delegation and Deputy Foreign Minister, Ali Bakri Kani, who was one of the strongest opponents of the original nuclear agreement, spoke only Persian.
The writing was written on the wall at the first meeting.
The Europeans read a statement from the Americans, sitting in a nearby hotel, which was drafted by the head of their delegation, Robert Mali.
The Iranians jumped out of place like snake bites.
"The Americans are not a party to the talks," they shouted, hastening to add: "Do not you dare threaten us."
The European representative apologized.
"We were wrong. It will not happen again."
The aggressive Iranian conduct marked the way for the presentation of Tehran's three "levies": not for an interim agreement (less for less), which means the cessation of some nuclear activity in exchange for the removal of some sanctions;
Not to a broader agreement, which would also include restrictions on the production of ballistic missiles and Iran's subversive activities throughout the Middle East;
Nor to an agreement that will not guarantee the removal of all sanctions imposed on them, including those not related to the nuclear agreement.
Bennett in a message to the powers before the resumption of talks: "Do not succumb to Iran's nuclear blackmail" // Photo: Omar Miron / GPO
They completely ignored inconvenient summaries, obtained in the previous six rounds with representatives of the powers.
They insisted that their relations with all the countries of the region were normal, and presented as evidence the visit that would take place today in Tehran to the head of the Emirates' National Security Council ("so there is no need for sanctions").
They tried to quarrel between the Europeans and the Americans ("If you insist on your position, the Americans will be persuaded"), and they tried to quarrel between the United States and Israel ("Israeli activity, overt and covert, is only meant to frustrate the negotiations").
Unfortunately, this argument began to permeate the Americans.
There have been recent leaks here and there in the United States that the covert Israeli effort to disrupt the Iranian race for the bomb only increases Tehran's determination to speed up the process (as if Tehran needed negative "incentives" to gallop forward).
All of this makes the task of Mossad chief and Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who will arrive in Washington this week, even more difficult and complex.
They will have to make it clear to the US administration that Israel has no intention of ceasing its efforts to slow down Iran's path to the bomb in any way possible.
And beyond that, they will have to explain to the Biden administration - which is now troubled by Russia's invasion threats to Ukraine and China to Taiwan, and is keen to reach a quick agreement with the Iranians - that Tehran knows how to read the situation carefully to take advantage of it.
And in other words: the Biden administration's constant threats to consider other options do not impress Khamenei, who believes Biden is not firing on military action.
On the other hand, a clear American statement that if the Iranians do not stop their nuclear race will be given the green light for action, along with the transfer of heavy bombers and bunker-penetrating bombs to Israel, the quantity of which has not yet been delivered - could be much more effective and deterrent.
Were we wrong?
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