Fair nuclear deal to boost global security, peace: Iran official

A senior Iranian official says a possible “fair and comprehensive” deal between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries on Tehran’s nuclear program will strengthen regional and international peace and security.

“[The ongoing] nuclear talks in Vienna are the most important international negotiations in the 21st century and we are trying to achieve a comprehensive and fair agreement which will help promote peace and security in the world, including in our region,” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Pacific Affairs Ebrahim Rahimpour said in an address to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the Russian city of Ufa.

He added that Iran has reached a “very important” phase in the nuclear talks with the six world powers to settle its nuclear issue.

Negotiations between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, China and Russia – plus Germany seem destined to stretch into the weekend.

Iranian nuclear negotiators say they will continue efforts to nail down a final deal, emphasizing, however, that they will not be doing open-ended negotiations.

Iran’s cooperation with BRICS, SCO

Rahimpour also said Iran is keen to improve cooperation with the SCO and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

“The policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s administration is based on the expansion of ties with all countries, including Iran’s 15 neighbors,” the Iranian diplomat said.

He noted that 70 percent of Iran's total trade is conducted with SCO member states.

“The value of Iran’s trade exchanges with these countries stood at 90 billion dollars in 2014. This means that Iran pays special attention to the expansion of commercial cooperation and this figure will increase after the termination of (anti-Iran) sanctions,” Rahimpour said.

Iran has an observer status at the SCO, but the organization is awaiting the removal of sanctions against the Islamic Republic over its nuclear program to be accepted as a full-fledged member.

Russian presidential adviser Anton Kobyakov said on Wednesday that Iran will join the Eurasian economic, political and military bloc as well as the SCO after sanctions are lifted on the country.

"The Iranian application is on the agenda for consideration. Sooner or later, the application will be granted after the UN Security Council sanctions are lifted," Kobyakov said.

The SCO currently consists of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan, Iran, Mongolia, India and Pakistan are observer states.

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