TEHRAN, Iran – An Iranian nuclear negotiator urged world powers Monday to find a “common position” to achieve a “balanced” final nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic as a deadline for negotiations looms.
Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is a senior member of Iran’s nuclear negotiating team, said Iran saw a lack of co-ordination among the six-nation group – the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany – at the latest round of talks. The U.S. and Iran broke off nuclear negotiations in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Friday for consultations but they are to resume the make-or-break talks Wednesday.
“I believe what is needed more than anything else is co-ordination among our opposite sides so they can come to a common viewpoint in the talks,” state-run satellite news channel Press TV quoted Araghchi as saying.
Araghchi made the comments as Israel, Iran’s arch enemy, sent envoys to France to prevent what Israel considers a “bad deal.” France has been more hawkish than the U.S. at the negotiating table, reportedly demanding more stringent restrictions than other Western delegations.
Paris, which raised last-minute objections to an interim agreement reached with Iran in 2013, could threaten a deal again.
Both Iran and the U.S. have reported substantial progress in the talks but also say gaps still remain. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Saturday a final deal is possible and that “there is nothing that can’t be resolved.”
Iran and the six-nation group hope to reach a rough deal by the end of March and a final, permanent agreement by June 30.
The talks seek a permanent deal to cap Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the easing of economic sanctions.
Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. The West fears it could allow Iran to build an atomic bomb.
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