Iran Nuclear Talks Resume in Lausanne
LAUSANNE (Tasnim) – Diplomats and experts from Iran and six world powers began another day of negotiations in Switzerland on Wednesday to work out details of a long-awaited agreement on Tehran’s nuclear energy program.
Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi and US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz have been holding bilateral talks since morning.
Meanwhile, deputy foreign ministers and experts from the group of six powers –Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany- are also holding internal consultations.
Iranian representatives are also holding separate internal meetings with rising hopes that drafting an agreement would begin soon.
Speaking to reporters early on Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, “I hope that we can finalize the work on Wednesday and hopefully start the process of drafting (an agreement).”
In separate comments on Tuesday night, Hamid Baeedinejad, a member of Iran’s negotiating team, said Iran and the Group 5+1 (alternatively known as the P5+1 or E3+3) have resolved “many aspects” relating to the issue of sanctions, noting that “some limited” subjects are remaining.
Russia has also expressed optimism that an initial agreement is within reach, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying negotiators had reached a general accord on "all key aspects", according to Russia's TASS news agency.
Lavrov was cited as saying that the possible agreement included the International Atomic Energy Agency's control over Tehran's nuclear program as well as steps to lift sanctions. He added experts would work out technical details by end-June.
Since a week ago, negotiators and senior diplomats have been working to agree on a preliminary framework accord by the end of March, to be followed by a comprehensive deal by June 30 that includes all technical details.
