Zarif, Ashton Discuss Latest Developments in Nuclear Talks
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Foreign Minister and Chief Nuclear Negotiator Mohammad Javad Zarif met with the European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton to discuss the latest developments in nuclear talks in the Austrian capital of Vienna.
Zarif told reporters in Vienna that the negotiations continue with high concentration on contextual discussions such as sanctions and possibility of extending the negotiations.
Iran’s chief cuclear negotiator had earlier said no agreement had been made on extending Tehran’s nuclear program beyond a July 20 deadline.
Since July 2, delegates from Iran and the Group 5+1 (also known as the P5+1 or E3+3) have launched a new round of high-profile talks in Vienna in a bid to hammer out a comprehensive deal on Tehran’s nuclear case.
Iran and the sextet on November 24, 2013, clinched an interim nuclear deal in the Swiss city of Geneva.
The breakthrough agreement (the Joint Plan of Action), which has come into effect since January 20, stipulates that over the course of six months, Iran and the six countries will draw up a comprehensive nuclear deal which will lead to a lifting of the whole sanctions on Iran.
The interim agreement also includes a provision for lengthening talks on a permanent agreement as far out as next January if all sides agree. But even an extension would have to be negotiated.
