Iran talks look set to stretch into weekend
Negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries seem destined to stretch into the weekend, with the Iranian delegates saying they will continue efforts to nail down a deal, emphasizing, however, that they will not be doing open-ended negotiations.
While hopes were high for a deal on Friday, settling remaining issues in the talks in the Austrian capital of Vienna now seem to necessitate more time.
Following two deadline extensions only in the latest round of the nuclear negotiations, media have been abuzz with speculations over whether or not the deal would slip yet again.
Iranian Foreign Minister and top negotiator Mohammad Javad Zarif had earlier said that the talks would likely continue through the weekend.
While negotiating delegates have on several occasions dismissed the significance of deadlines, a deal past July 10 would now give the US Congress – a hotbed of opposition to any deal – an added 30 days for a review of the agreement.
Meanwhile, the European Council has prolonged until July 13 the suspension of EU restrictions against Iran as agreed in the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) on November 24, 2013 to allow more time for the talks in Vienna.
Excessive demands prolonging talks
Zarif said late on Thursday that the P5+1 countries – Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany – are shifting their positions and pressing excessive demands as the Iran talks are nearing an endgame.
“Unfortunately, we are witnessing both shifts in positions and excessive demands... Several countries in the P5+1 group hold different positions. Such issues have made the negotiations difficult. We want a dignified agreement and negotiations, and we will continue to negotiate. The deal would be within reach should the other side seek an honorable and balanced accord,” he said.
Meanwhile, upon leaving Palais Coburg Hotel, the venue of the talks, on Friday, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said the talks are making progress but “painfully slowly.”
The top British diplomat added that he would be leaving Vienna but will return on Saturday, expressing hope that, over the next 12 hours, experts “will clear some more of the text and then we (the ministers) can re-group tomorrow to see if we can get over the last hurdles.”
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