Despite several weeks and months of negotiations, Iran and the major players in this game – Germany, France, Britain, China and Russia – have not succeeded in reaching an agreement on limiting Iran’s nuclear programme. Extending these talks over more months may jeopardise the already deteriorating state of this intricate situation.

The whole point of this exercise is to ensure that Iran will not be able to produce such a catastrophic weapon. Some US diplomats were not all that gloomy about these talks. On the contrary, they looked very optimistic about the results achieved so far and are very confident that agreement is within reach. Others argue that there are still many gaps and the deal needs adjustments before the parties concerned bow their heads to sign.

The Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, has suggested that a maximum effort by all those concerned is what the agreement needs and, with this effort, the final hurdles will eventually be bridged.

The Arms Control Association as well as other top diplomats from Germany and the US have suggested that a limit extending over six to 10 years is necessary to stop Iran’s enrichment programme before it would be able to continue, provided that Iran continues to cooperate fully with international inspectors.

In any agreement there are risks involved... but there are many more if agreement is not reached. Hope for a new beginning?