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Sticking points still remain between Iran, P5+1 over final deal

1 July 2015 16:32 (UTC+04:00)
Sticking points still remain between Iran, P5+1 over final deal

By Sara Rajabova

The world powers and Iran have decided to extend the deadline until July 7, after failing to ink a final nuclear deal on June 30 to put an end to the decade-old dispute on Tehran’s nuclear energy program.

The removal of sanctions against Iran and access to country’s military sites seem to be the major bones of contention, according to Iranian media.

Senior Iranian nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi said on July 1 that sticking points still remain between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries in drafting the text of a final deal.

Araqchi, who also serves as the deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, said all delegations present in the talks are “seriously” working on the text, Press TV reported.

He added that there has been a “positive climate” in the negotiations as all sides are keen to move the talks forward.

Stressing that Iran will not accept an agreement at any price, the senior negotiator said that a good deal should respect Iran’s principles and red lines.

Meanwhile, as the sides extended the deadline, both U.S. and Iranian presidents issued warnings in case the negotiations fail.

Stressing that it “is going to be up to the Iranians" to meet the requirements set out by the international community, U.S. President Barack Obama warned on June 30 that there would be no deal if all paths to an Iranian nuclear weapon were not cut off.

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said his country will be committed to fulfill it if the nuclear agreement is achieved, and in the meantime, warned that Iran would resume its suspended atomic work more vigorously if the West breaks its promises.

Rouhani, who has been a strong supporter of nuclear negotiations, underlined that in case of striking a final nuclear deal both sides should show their commitments to the possible agreement.

As talks with world powers entered their final stage, millions of Iranians have signed a petition to show their desire for a "good" nuclear deal with the P5+1 group of countries.

A large number of Iranian people and officials gathered at Azadi (Freedom) Square on June 30 to unveil a petition signed by millions of Iranians amid the ongoing crucial talks between the Islamic Republic and six global powers in Vienna, Austria.

The petition calls for the lifting of all sanctions against Iran at once, the preservation of Iran's nuclear achievements, and the continuation of nuclear research without any restrictions on nuclear scientists.

The petition was delivered to Iran’s foreign ministry on July 1.

In meantime, Yukiya Amano, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency arrived in Tehran on July 1 to hold negotiations with President Rouhani on the country’s nuclear program, a high-ranking IAEA official told RIA Novosti.

As Iran has refused any interviews with its nuclear scientists, the IAEA is seeking to receive Iran’s proposals in this regard.

Amano is expected to meet with Rouhani on July 2.

Previously, IAEA had repeatedly urged Tehran for more active cooperation.

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, China and Russia – plus Germany are holding talks to finalize the text of a possible deal over Iran’s nuclear program.

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

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

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