Iran, US, EU end 2nd round of nuclear talks in Lausanne

Iran, the United States and the EU have ended the second round of nuclear talks in the day in the Swiss city of Lausanne to bridge differences on the outstanding issues pertaining to Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Ali Akbar Salehi, Zarif’s deputies, Abbas Araqchi and Majid Takht-e Ravanchi, US Secretary of State John Kerry, US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman as well as the European Union deputy foreign policy chief, Helga Schmid, were present in the second round of the talks which started Thursday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, Salehi said he is “optimistic” about reaching a nuclear deal, adding, “On the whole I am optimistic... but internationally those who have an interest in more troubles and not dealing with this question have not been inactive. They are trying to make sure there is no deal.” 

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has demonstrated its political will and it is up to the other side to take a step forward and show that it has the political will to allow a resolution of the problem,” the AEOI head stated.

Representatives of Iran, the United States and the European Union wrapped up the first round of the nuclear talks in the Swiss city earlier in the day.

Following the meeting, Zarif told reporters that the issue of Yemen is a very bitter issue in our region, adding, “It is very dangerous, and we have always said that the issue of Yemen should be resolved through dialog between Yemeni groups and we hope this happens.”

Asked if the situation in Yemen will have any impact on nuclear talks, Iran's top diplomat said, “The talks are ongoing. Of course, we are all saddened over the situation faced by the Yemeni people and the massacre but the talks continue.”

Answering to a question by Press TV, he noted, “We will continue to negotiate, we have moved in the right direction, we have dealt with a number of issues, but issues are being dealt with right now, and we can’t talk about any part of this agreement until we see the entire puzzle.”

Zarif said the negotiating parties are “trying to … resolve all the issues within the next few days and then get down to writing, the exact details.”

“But it is still too early to decide when that will take place,” he noted.

Zarif and his negotiating team had continued their intense marathon talks with the American side in Lausanne the previous week when the top Iranian diplomat also took some time to meet one-on-one in the Belgian capital of Brussels with the European foreign ministers of the P5+1 group - Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany, Philip Hammond of Britain and France’s Laurent Fabius. Zarif also sat down with EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, in Brussels.

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China – plus Germany have been in talks to resolve outstanding issues surrounding the Islamic Republic’s peaceful nuclear program.

IA/HSN/SS

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk