Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Iranian officials has said the Islamic Republic has shown "necessary flexibility" during talks with the P5+1 group of countries, calling on the other side to make a decision to finalize discussed solutions.

Hamid Baeidinejad, Iranian foreign ministry’s director general for political affairs said in the Swiss city of Lausanne on March 27 that "there are a number of issues that haven’t been resolved yet," of which "research and development and sanctions" are "the most important", Press TV reported.

The sides of the nuclear talks were pushing each other for concessions as a deadline for a preliminary nuclear deal is nearing to end.

Under a final settlement, Tehran would halt sensitive nuclear work for at least a decade and in exchange, international financial and oil sanctions on Iran would be lifted. This would aim to end Iran's 12-year nuclear standoff with the West and reduce the risk of another war in the Middle East.

Despite the sides made statements about moving closer to a deal, still major disagreements remain.

“These issues include details that are very important and there are other issues related to these issues, I don’t want to get into details but these are some of the most important issues and all efforts are based on finding solutions to these remaining issues,” Baeidinejad said.

Speaking about the possibility of resolving the outstanding issues March 29, Baeidinejad said it depends on the political decision of the negotiating sides.

Though the nuclear negotiations are in the critical stage, the Republican-led U.S. Congress has threatened to impose new sanctions on Iran if there is no March deal, against the advice of President Barack Obama, who has threatened to veto any such moves.

The U.S. Senate voted unanimously on March 26 supporting a non-binding measure to slap new economic sanctions on Iran should it violate terms of any nuclear deal it reaches with world powers, AFP reported.

In a symbolic measure aimed at building pressure on Tehran amid crunch negotiations over its atomic program, lawmakers voted 100-0 on an amendment introduced by Senate Republican Mark Kirk as part of an ongoing budget debate.

Although it has no carry the weight of law, however, it signals senators' determination to act quickly should Iran fail to meet any requirements of the interim accord now in place, or a possible final agreement.

Senior negotiators from Iran, the United States have kicked off another day of their latest round of talks on Tehran’s nuclear energy program in the Swiss city of Lausanne.

Iranian foreign minister deputies Abbas Araqchi and Majid Takht-e Ravanchi held talks with Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman on March 28.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry are also due to meet later on in the day to find solutions to outstanding issues ahead of a deadline for a comprehensive agreement between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries on Tehran’s nuclear activities.

Tehran and six major powers -- the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China -- are meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, to hammer out a political framework accord by the end of this month that would lay the foundations for a full deal by June 30.

--

Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz