FM: Iran-Sextet Final N. Accord Possible before Summer
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iran’s minister of foreign affairs reiterated that Tehran and the six major world powers can hammer out a final, comprehensive agreement on Iran’s peaceful nuclear program before the coming summer, should the other side recognizes the realities on the ground.
“Recognition that Iran will only accept solution that respects its dignity and rights can lead to final nuclear deal before this summer,” Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a message posted on his Twitter account on Monday.
He also made a reference to the forthcoming round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany), and added, “We have shown determination and political will. (It is) Time for other side to hold their end of the bargain.”
On November 24, 2013, Iran and the Group 5+1 (also known as P5+1 or E3+3) signed an interim deal on Tehran’s nuclear case, which stipulates that over the course of six months, the parties will draw up a comprehensive nuclear deal which will lead to a lifting of the whole sanctions on Iran.
Based on the Geneva interim deal, also known as the Joint Plan of Action, which has come into effect since January 20, the world powers agreed to suspend some non-essential sanctions and to impose no new nuclear-related bans in return for Tehran's decision to suspend its 20% enrichment for a period of six months.
The two sides are set to hold a fresh round of negotiations on Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program in the Austrian capital of Vienna within the next few days.
Iranian officials have on different occasions announced that a final settlement of the West’s standoff on Tehran’s nuclear case would be possible, provided that foreign countries show goodwill.
Earlier on March 2, Foreign Minister Zarif had told reporters at a joint press conference with his Spanish counterpart in Tehran that Iran and the Sextet can reach an ultimate agreement “in case the other side shows goodwill and has political willpower and remains committed to the content of the Joint Plan of Action.”
And at a joint press conference with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Sunday, Zarif once again reminded the West that any final agreement on Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program should recognize the undeniable nuclear rights of the Iranian nation.
“The West should know that Iran will only accept an agreement that recognizes the Iranian nation’s nuclear rights,” he said, adding that the negotiating sides can reach the final deal within the next 4 or 5 months, or even sooner.