Iran: Discussions Underway about Solutions to Differences on Nuclear Issue
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s top nuclear negotiator said a fresh round of talks in Vienna involves discussions on a series of solutions proposed by different parties to iron out differences on Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program.
As top diplomats from Iran, the US and the EU have gathered in the Austrian capital since Tuesday for a new round of negotiations on Iran’s civilian nuclear work, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the parties are studying solutions which have been put forward to bridge the gaps.
“As mentioned several times, significant differences remain, but that does not mean that the differences could not be resolved,” Zarif told reporters in Vienna on Tuesday night after a bilateral meeting with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, who liaises with Iran on behalf the six world powers (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany).
It is necessary to discuss the procedures which are serious and at the same time innovative, Zarif explained, adding that talks on those solutions might need more time.
Although the negotiators had “serious discussions” on Tuesday about the various solutions suggested by each of the countries, “we have not reached a common conclusion so far”, he pointed out.
Meanwhile, political directors from the whole negotiating parties will hold a meeting on Thursday at Iran’s suggestion, Foreign Minister Zarif noted.
“We believe that the presence of the entire 5+1 members is necessary to come up with a solution and it is very good to use this opportunity on Thursday to reach a common point,” he noted.
On November 24, 2013, Iran and the G5+1 (alternatively known as P5+1 or E3+3) signed an interim nuclear deal in the Swiss city of Geneva.
Based on the interim deal, the world powers agreed to suspend some non-essential sanctions and impose no new nuclear-related bans in return for Tehran’s decision to freeze parts of its nuclear activities.
In July, Tehran and the six countries agreed to extend negotiations until November 24 in the hope of clinching a final deal.
The two sides had held the most recent round of talks in New York on September 26 without making any tangible progress.