Iran, 5P+1 Nuclear Talks May Get Pushed Out
Iran’s foreign minister headed home for consultations Sunday before returning to join counterparts from other countries at the negotiating table to push for a breakthrough.
Iranian media said Mohammed Javad Zarif’s trip was planned in advance.
The fact that he left the talks so close to Tuesday’s deadline reflected his need to get instructions on how to proceed on issues where the sides remain apart, among them how much access Iran should give to UN experts monitoring his country’s compliance to any deal.
The United States is calling more intrusive access than Iran wants to give.
With these and other disputes still unsolved, senior European officials acknowledged that a Tuesday target deadline for an Iran nuclear deal could fade, and the talks might continue into July.
All 7 nations at the negotiating table insist that Tuesday remains the formal deadline for a deal.
“If a few days more are needed, we will take them,” said Federica Mogherini, the European Union’s top diplomat. Asked about the chances of a deal, she told reporters: “It’s going to be tough … but not impossible.”
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier joined Mogherini, Zarif and Sec. Kerry in Vienna Sunday, they avoided reporters.
Both sides recognize that there is leeway to extend to 9 July. Postponement beyond that would double the US congressional review period to 60 days, giving both Iranian and US critics more time to work on undermining an agreement.
The goal of the talks involving Iran and the 5P+1 powers: U.S., Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia, is a deal that would pare Iran’s capacity to make nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran insists it does not want such arms but is bargaining in exchange for sanctions relief.
Have a terrific week.
HeffX-LTN
Paul Ebeling
The post Iran, 5P+1 Nuclear Talks May Get Pushed Out appeared first on Live Trading News.