Deputy FM: Iran, Sextet to Discuss Nuclear Issues Only

“It has been repeatedly mentioned by Mr. Zarif and the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman and of course all sides that the discussion relates merely to the nuclear issue, and that no other subject will be mooted in the negotiations,” Deputy Foreign Minister for Parliamentary and Iranian Expatriates Affairs Hassan Qashqavi told reporters in Tehran on Friday.

Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, Britain, the US, China, France and Germany) are due to begin a new round of talks in Vienna on February 18, aimed at working out a final agreement on Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.

The two sides have already reached an interim nuclear deal in November last year, known as the Geneva agreement, which has come into effect since January 20.

The top diplomat, however, made it clear that the forthcoming talks will be “definitely crucial and breath-taking”, making a reference to the title of the talks, known by the both sides as “comprehensive negotiations”.

“Thus, both Iran and the other side have repeatedly expressed how difficult the task would be,” Qashqavi added.

He further expressed the hope that Iran would successfully go ahead with the negotiations, saying “national consensus and internal rapport” will contribute to the effectiveness of the talks.

In relevant remarks on February 12, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham lashed out at the White House for raising irrelevant subjects ahead of the February 18 talks, saying the negotiations will merely focus on nuclear issues.

“Not any other subject, except the issue of Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities, has been on the agenda in negotiations with the Group 5+1 in any of the previous stages, neither will it be in the coming round of talks,” she said on Wednesday.