Iranian Nuclear Negotiator Terms Geneva Talks “Intense & Constructive”


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A senior Iranian nuclear negotiator described the talks over Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program in the Swiss city of Geneva as constructive.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Seyed Abbas Araqchi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, said the negotiations between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) were “very intense” and “very useful and constructive”.

Araqchi added that the two sides agreed to continue the nuclear talks in January at a venue to be decided later.

Talks between Iran and world powers aims to hammer out a final agreement to end over a decade of impasse over Tehran’s nuclear issue.

Wednesday talks were held at the level of deputy foreign ministers and experts.

On Monday and Tuesday, diplomatic delegations from Iran and the US held bilateral meetings in Geneva.

Earlier on Wednesday, Iranian delegation held meetings with the Russian and Chinese envoys.

This is the first round of talks after the parties decided to extend for more 7 months a self-imposed deadline for signing a comprehensive agreement on Tehran’s civilian nuclear work.

Iran and the Group 5+1 (also known as the P5+1 or E3+3) wrapped up a week of intensive nuclear talks in Vienna on November 24 without reaching the long-awaited deal.