Rule reminder
A concessive clause introduces a circumstance or fact that is presented as an obstacle or contradiction to the main clause, yet the main action still occurs or the main state still holds. Identifying concessive clauses in a text requires recognizing: (1) the connective (sebbene, benché, nonostante, anche se, pur + gerundio), (2) the mood (subjunctive or indicative/gerund), and (3) the logical 'obstacle-despite-which' relationship with the main clause.
Read the following and identify the concessive clause: 'La conferenza si svolse regolarmente, nonostante le forti tensioni diplomatiche tra i paesi partecipanti avessero alimentato dubbi sulla sua fattibilità fino all'ultimo momento.'