The story: Senior Iranian and US nuclear negotiators are convening in Vienna for the first time since March. As both sides engage in carefully calibrated expectation management, important issues remain on the table. There are still differences over the scope of sanctions relief and US guarantees that it will not exit the 2015 Iran nuclear deal once again. Importantly, there is also a clash over the direction of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Iran-related activities.

The IAEA hurdle: Speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of the resumption of talks in the Austrian capital on Aug. 4, a senior Iranian source emphasized to Amwaj.media that “the intention and readiness for a compromise exists"...