Iranian Negotiator Asks G5+1 to Give up Excessive Demands

Vienna – A member of Iran‘s negotiating team on Tuesday advised G5+1 to give up excessive demands in order to reach a comprehensive nuclear agreement.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official told IRNA that Iran-G5+1 differences on major topics have not been resolved yet.

He underlined that if the other sides of talks give up their irrational demands and do not deny the realities on the ground, reaching an agreement would not be difficult.

Iran is committed to continue constructive talks with G5+1 by July 20 deadline, the official added.

He underlined that Iran seeks a comprehensive nuclear agreement and not a partial one.

Representatives from Iran and Group 5+1 started their sixth round of nuclear talks here on July 2. Because of differences on important issues, foreign ministers of the US, Germany, France and Britain joined the meeting on Sunday to take decisions at the ministerial level.

Serious discussions at top political level necessary, says Zarif

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said he had good exchange of views with his American counterpart John Kerry.

The foreign minister made the remarks here Tuesday while talking to reporters on the 14th day of the 6th round of nuclear talks with G5+1.

Referring to three round of talks with Kerry, he said serious talks are necessary at high political level.

He said Iran’s attempt was to remove the stalemate which is based on illogical factors.

He also noted that Tehran was trying to get to the point agreed upon in the Geneva nuclear deal.

An Iranian diplomat familiar with nuclear negotiations said Monday that nuclear talks between Iran and the US were intensive and comprehensive.

ˈIt is too early to say whether we can reach an agreement by July 20 and we are still making every effort,ˈ the diplomat told IRNA on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to make public statements on the matter.

Asked whether there is any sign of narrowing the differences after face-to-face negotiations between Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and US Secretary of State John Kerry, the diplomat said, the two sides have not changed their views to a large extent, however, it is too early for conclusion.

The foreign ministers of Germany, France, Britain and the US joined the Vienna talks on Sunday to help narrow the remaining gaps with Iran.

After meeting with their counterparts and bilateral meetings with Foreign Minister Zarif, the three European foreign ministers immediately left Vienna. But the US secretary of state is still in Vienna, mainly because a key part of the differences, including the timetable for lifting of sanctions on Iran depends on the United States. Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China – Plus Germany set July 20 as the target date for reaching a Comprehensive Agreement on nuclear dispute under an interim deal last November. Thus, in their last effort to meet the deadline, they started their sixth round of talks in Vienna on July 2 which will continue until July 20.

Iranians are strong in their position, says Kerry

In the same context, US Secretary of State John Kerry says Iranian negotiators are “strong in their position” as they “fight for” their right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

 “Iranians are strong in their position,” Kerry said on Tuesday after two days of talks with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Austrian capital Vienna.

Zarif is a “tough negotiator and knows how to fight for what he’s fighting for,” Kerry told reporters at a news conference, adding that there are “very real gaps in key issues” regarding the talks over Iran’s nuclear program.

The top US official also said that he was still hopeful that a comprehensive deal between Iran and the P5+1 group will be reached by a July 20 deadline but he will consult with President Barack Obama over an extension of the deadline to reach the comprehensive deal.

 “I am returning today to Washington to discuss with President Obama and leaders in Congress over the coming days about the prospects for a comprehensive agreement as well as the path forward if we do not achieve one by July 20, including on the question of whether or not more time is warranted, based on the progress we have made and how things are going,” Kerry said.

Sources: IRNA , PRESS T.V

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