Iran, US, EU resume nuclear talks in Lausanne

Iranian officials and their negotiating sides from the United States and the European Union have kicked off a new round of talks on Tehran’s nuclear program in the Swiss city of Lausanne.

The three sides convened their meeting early Friday aiming to minimize differences ahead of a deadline for an agreement between Iran and international powers on the country’s nuclear activities.

Headed by Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Iranian negotiating team included head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi and two deputy foreign ministers Abbas Araqchi and Majid Takht-e Ravanchi and Hossein Fereydoon, a special aide to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman represented the United States in the talks. Also present in Friday's negotiations were EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and her deputy Helga Schmid.

Speaking to reporters prior to the meeting, Zarif said a comprehensive agreement between Iran and P5+1 group of countries requires serious political will from all the other sides involved in negotiations with Iran.

He added that Iran will continue the talks with seriousness and patience.

Everyone in Iran, including Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and President Rouhani, has a serious political will to reach a comprehensive deal and the country expects the other sides to show the same seriousness, Zarif stressed.

Also, in response to a question by the Press TV correspondent in Lausanne regarding the seriousness of the disagreements between the two sides, Araqchi said the issues under discussion are serious and the negotiating parties are trying to bridge the gaps.

Representatives of Iran, the US and the EU also held talks in the Swiss city on Thursday with officials from the three sides expressing hope that they could reach an agreement.

“…. issues are being dealt with right now, and we can’t talk about any part of this agreement until we see the entire puzzle.” said Zarif after Thursday's meetings.

Other Iranian officials said that things are going in the right direction, but they said there are still forces unwilling to see the final deal emerge.

“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,” Salehi said.  

Reports suggest that that top diplomats from other members of the P5+1 groups of countries - France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany - are due to join Kerry in Switzerland. The talks face a deadline of July 1 for a final deal.

MS/NN/HMV

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