Talks between the six participating nations and Iran started in June but stagnated as the country voted in a new president.
Since JCPOA-sceptic president Ebrahim Raisi entered the fray in August, the IAEA has faced a brick wall.
Iranian representatives have not responded to requests from Rafael Grossi, the IAEA Director General, to inspect cameras and surveillance equipment currently monitoring the country’s nuclear plants.
The equipment allows IAEA personnel to understand whether nuclear plants create consumer energy or fuel weapons production.
Without it, the watchdog can’t understand whether Tehran is shoring up its nuclear weapons stockpile.
Western officials must now decide whether to censure the government, a move that could frighten it away from negotiations for good.