China can help quick clinching of final Iran N-deal: Rouhani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says a comprehensive deal over Iran’s nuclear program needs political resolve from the Islamic Republic’s negotiating partners, saying that China can help bring about a quick clinching of the deal.

“Under the current circumstances, a final agreement can be reached in a short time if there is sufficient political will in the other party; and an effective presence by China [in the nuclear talks] can help further shorten that time,” Rouhani said in a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tehran on Sunday.

The Iranian president hoped that a final deal would be reached at the earliest with China’s cooperation and within the framework of the talks with the P5+1 countries (Russia, China, France, Britain, the United States and Germany).

The Iranian president highlighted that such an agreement would safeguard the rights of the Iranian nation, and could prepare the ground for further international understanding and cooperation.

President Rouhani also described Iran-China cooperation as strategically important for regional development and security, stating that China has had very good cooperation with Iran and such interactions can be expanded to all areas.

Nuclear talks

Iran and the five veto-wielding members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany are trying to seal a final agreement by the end of March and to confirm the full technical details of the comprehensive accord by July 1.

The scale of Iran’s uranium enrichment and the timetable for the removal of anti-Iran sanctions are seen as major stumbling blocks in the talks.

Iran has so far suspended parts of its enrichment program in return for some sanctions relief.

Wang, for his part, said China is determined to upgrade its cooperation and relations with Iran to a strategic level and engage in long-term cooperation with Iran.

Referring to Iran’s determination to go on with its peaceful nuclear work and efforts made by some countries to obstruct Iran’s progress, the Chinese top diplomat noted that the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and President Rouhani have reiterated time and again that the country does not seek to produce nuclear weapons.

Zarif on nuclear talks

Earlier on Sunday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said current conditions are proper for a comprehensive deal between Tehran and the P5+1 on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program.

“Given the prevailing political will, we are sure that the ground is prepared for achieving a comprehensive solution [to Iran's nuclear issue] in the near future,” Zarif said at a joint press conference with his Chinese counterpart in Tehran.

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