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NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN SIX world powers and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions were thrown into uncertainty this evening after US Secretary of State John Kerry announced his imminent departure, and Iran’s chief negotiator expressed doubts a deal would be reached.
Amid signs that the talks in Geneva were proving difficult, Kerry’s spokesman said the US’s top diplomat would leave for London tomorrow for meetings with British counterpart William Hague and the Libyan prime minister.
At the same time, Iranian chief negotiator Abbas Araqchi said he doubted that Tehran and the P5+1 world powers — comprising the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany — could reach an accord by the end of the day.
“Intense and difficult negotiations are under way and it is not clear whether we reach an agreement tonight,” Fars news agency quoted Araqchi as saying. “The dispute is over the wording.”
Sanctions
The talks are aimed at securing a freeze on parts of Iran’s nuclear programme in order to ease fears that Tehran will develop atomic weapons, in return for modest sanctions relief.
The arrival of foreign ministers – including Kerry – today had raised hopes, after three days of intense negotiations among lower-level officials, that a breakthrough was in sight.
Kerry had decided to join the talks “with the hope that an agreement will be reached,” the US State Department said yesterday.
Since their arrival however, officials from both sides have indicated that there are still considerable differences to be bridged.
“We have now entered a very difficult stage,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told state television, saying he would not bow to “excessive demands”.
“In any agreement, (uranium) enrichment in Iran will not be suspended,” Zarif said, adding that “a very difficult task” still lay ahead in clinching a deal.
‘Difficult’
Hague was also cautious this morning, saying in Geneva: “They remain very difficult negotiations. I think it is important to stress that we are not here because things are necessarily finished.”
“It’s not a done deal,” said his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle. “We think there’s a realistic chance but there is still a lot of work to do.”
Mark Hibbs, from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said Kerry’s imminent departure might “set a deadline and focus people’s minds”.
Just two weeks ago, the ministers had jetted in seeking to sign on the dotted line, only to fail as cracks appeared among the powers — fissures that officials say are now repaired.
Since being elected in June, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has raised big hopes that after a decade of rising tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme, a solution might be within reach.
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Aipac is putting the squeeze on Capitol Hill , more sanctions to destroy any chance of a deal that is little more than the blackmail of Iran anyway.
Blackmail…why does an oil rich country need nuclear power stations? Answer is they don’t need them to produce electricity the need them to make fissile material for nuclear bombs!
Shhhtop now. They want nuclear to power their country so they can sell SAID oil at market prices. Simple.
A lot of hi fives in tel aviv tonight
This plan is doomed from the start. Israel want near total surrender of Iran and even now US lawmakers are pushing through new rounds of sanctions. I would like to see a end to this uncertainty in the middle east but it won’t happen. A safe peaceful middle east will never was with the US and UK because fear sells weapons. The UK has signed a deal in the billions with saudi Arabia and BAE systems.
Well, they agreed the deal in the end and Iran will get $7 billion sanctions relief.
Mr know, and the Egyptians are buying $4 billion worth of weapons from the Russians. People like you are always one sided in your comments.
War is Business. Business us Money.
You might this guy’s opinion so. http://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/warisaracket.html
“Heads we win, harps you lose” Hassan Rouhani
The Kuwaiti newspaper Al Rei reports that Egypt has signed a deal with Russia for $4 billion worth of arms, paid for in part with donations from the Gulf States. This,along with the new friendliness between Saudi Arabia , Egypt and Israel will certainly wipe the smile off a few mullah faces.
you are a lunatic !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Labours way or……
have your say