Iran, P5+1 enter last round of nuclear talks
By Sara Rajabova
Iran has expressed hope for striking a nuclear deal with world powers before the deadline, stressing that reaching the final agreement depends on other sides’ political will.
The world powers and Iran have resumed their nuclear talks in Austrian capital city Vienna on November 18 - a week before the deadline, with an aim to reach a comprehensive agreement to resolve the decade old nuclear dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has described as “useful” his latest nuclear talks with Catherine Ashton, the Chief Negotiator of the P5+1 group, stressing the importance of the group’s “political will” to reach a final agreement.
“Everything depends on the opposite side’s political will,” Zarif added after a working lunch with Ashton, Iranian media reports.
Zarif called on the P5+1 to stop drawing “meaningless redlines” which are only appealing to certain pressure groups.
As the possibility of clinching a landmark agreement with Iran is too little, some officials see it unlikely to bridge the gaps until November 24 deadline.
Ahead of the talks, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry declined to make any predictions for what he called a "critical week", during which negotiators from Iran and six world powers will push to end dispute over Iran's nuclear activities, Reuters reported.
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, expressed cautious optimism. "I believe a deal can be done. But, Iran needs to show more flexibility if we are to succeed,” he said after meeting with Kerry.
If the West’s demand from Iran is a proof of the peaceful nature of its nuclear energy program for reaching the final deal, Tehran, for its part, says the world powers should abandon their excessive demands for coming to an agreement.
Iranian MP, EsmailKovsari believes that if the U.S. continues negotiations with excessive illegal demands and bullying, the talks will certainly fail.
Kovsari, who is a member of Iran’s Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Commission told Trend Agency that the U.S. administration is under pressure by regional countries including Israel, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
“As long as the U.S. administration follows up Israel and Saudi Arabia interests and does not make independent decisions, no changes will be made in the country’s position and no nuclear agreement would be achieved,” Kovsari argued.
Iran does not want negotiation only for negotiation, Kovsari said, adding negotiations should achieve fair results, which he considered lifting of sanctions imposed on the country by the West.
The latest negotiations were aimed at facilitating the final deal over Iran's nuclear energy program before the November 24 deadline.
Last November, Iran and the P5+1 group of countries clinched an interim nuclear accord, which took effect on January 20 and expired six months later. However, they agreed to extend their talks until November 24 as they remained divided on a number of key issues.
Differences remain over the scope of the country’s uranium enrichment program, how and when to lift economic sanctions, and how long Iran’s nuclear program must remain under international inspections and safeguards.
Iran says its nuclear program is for energy and medical purposes and rejects allegations that its nuclear work is a cover to build atomic weapons.