The UK’s National Security Advisor, Jonathan Powell, participated in the negotiations between the USA and Iran and considered Tehran’s proposal regarding the nuclear program solid enough to avoid a conflict. However, just two days after the discussions, the USA and Israel attacked Iran.
Jonathan Powell was present at the latest negotiations between the USA and Iran, held in Geneva, where, according to some sources, he appreciated that “progress was made”, and Iran’s offer was “surprising“.
The discussions were supposed to continue with a technical round in Vienna, but this did not take place. Two days earlier, the USA and Israel launched an attack on Iran.
Powell’s presence, confirmed by several sources, reflects London’s direct involvement, but also concerns about the lack of a solid technical team from the USA, reports The Guardian.
Criticism and differences in approach
The American negotiators, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, were not accompanied by their own technical experts, relying on the IAEA Director, Rafael Grossi. A former official explained:
“Witkoff and Kushner did not bring an American technical team… So Jonathan Powell brought his own team”.
The same official emphasized that “the British team was surprised by what the Iranians put on the table”, considering the offer an important step, even if it was not a final agreement.
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