Iran, G5+1 Continue Talks On Drafting Deal

Vienna – Iran and G5+1 here on Wednesday continued discussions on drafting the final comprehensive nuclear deal for the 8th consecutive day.

Deputies of the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad JavadZarif and the European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton are participating in the meeting which is held behind closed doors.

While Iranˈs Abbas Araqchi and Helga Schmid and Stefan Celement are exchanging views on the ways of drafting the final comprehensive deal today, possibilities are growing for a foreign ministerial meeting in the coming days.

The 6th round of the nuclear talks between Iran and G5+1 started in Vienna on Wednesday and will continue until July 20 by which time the two sides are expected to reach a comprehensive deal.

Tehran determined to make nuclear deal but not at any price, says Afkham

Meanwhile in Tehran, Iran is determined to make a nuclear deal with Group 5+1 but not at any price, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman MarziyehAfkham said here on Wednesday.

Commenting on the ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the world six powers (five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany), Afkham said the talks ˈare going on in a slow pace.ˈ

Speaking to reporters at her weekly press conference, she said, ˈTehran hopes to reach a lasting, reasonable and fair deal within the framework of the set deadlineˈ ending July 20.

However, she added, ˈThe time is not the only thing that matters. Our objective is to reach the desired nuclear deal.ˈ

Referring to the issues discussed during the Vienna 6 talks, Afkham said, ˈWe moved from easy topics to difficult ones. All topics have been categorized and discussed one by one. The two sides made some agreements on issues which were agreeable to both.ˈ

However, she noted some progresses have so far been made during the Vienna 6 talks but they were made in a slow pace.

Afkham expressed hope that a ˈreasonable decision would be made through the realistic view taken by the other side towards Iranˈs peaceful nuclear program.ˈ

She added that there were some reports saying that foreign ministers of the participating countries are to join the Vienna 6 talks in the coming days in order to continue consultations.

Afkham reiterated Tehran’s readiness to continue serious and professional talks.

Iran decries instrumental use of terrorists in region – Afkham

On the other hand,  Iran on Wednesday reprimanded certain governments for employing terrorism to stir up stability in the Middle East.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman MarziehAfkham said that certain governments must stop instrumental use of terrorists in the region.

ˈWe are sensitively following up the case of Iraq developments as a neighbor. Since the beginning also we declared our stance on terrorist issue in Iraq, which has turned into a tool for political changes in the country. All parties in the region should be sensitive to terrorist groups and their activities,ˈAfkham told a press conference.

Asked whether Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab-African Affairs Amir Abdollahianˈs regional visit was in line with Iraq developments, Afkham said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is holding consultations with many countries in the region such as Russia having common views about state of affairs in the region.

She criticized the Saudi and Qatari governments for financing the terrorists to influence the Iraqi political trend and said that terrorism is a danger and the menace of terrorism is not restricted to a single country.

Afkham warned that danger of terrorism might spread to the entire region.

ˈWe have started talks with many governments of the region to notify them of the dangers and prepare the ground for cooperation to stop the activities as collective measures to counter terrorist and regional and international dangers is needed.ˈ

The Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said that aggression on the Palestinian nation will spark the wrath of Muslims against the Tel Aviv occupying regime.

She expressed outrage at the disproportionate air raids on the Palestinian people by the Tel Aviv regime over the past several days and said in the holy month of Ramadan, when hearts of the Muslim Ummah are directed to spirituality, humanity, passion and philanthropy, we have unfortunately been witnessing the Israeli brutality and aggression on the defenseless Palestinian people martyring or maiming a large number of women and children.

She said that the brutal aggressions and massacre of innocent people under the vain pretext of kidnapping of three Israeli settlers, especially the tragic and heinous scenes of martyrdom of the young Palestinian, which was reminiscent of the terroristsˈ crimes in Syria and Iraq, proves failure of the occupying regime vis-a-vis the liberation movement of the Palestinians.

Afkham condemns Zionist regimeˈs aggression on Gaza

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman MarziehAfkham condemned alsoZionist regime’s intensifying its criminal attacks on Gaza, which killed nine Palestinians and injured a large number of defenseless citizens.

Afkham said, ˈMore than two weeks pass since brutal aggression and massacre of innocent people under vain pretext of that three settlers of the Zionist regime were kidnapped. Martyrdom of the young Palestinian, which recalls repetition of the scene of terroristsˈ crimes in Syria and Iraq, indicates inability of the regime in the face of the resistance of the Palestinian people.ˈ

She praised resisting spirit of the Gaza people in defense and resistance against the savage acts and called on the Muslim and Arab states as well as the institutions advocating human rights to support the decision of Palestinians to follow up the crimes in the legal and international institutions, including the Hague, while showing prompt and effective reaction to the inhumane measures and crimes of the Zionist regime.

IRNA

R.S