Iran’s Top Negotiator: Geneva Talks May Last Longer than Expected
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian foreign minister and the country’s chief negotiator said that the ongoing talks between Tehran and the six world powers may last until tomorrow, saying that the talks are intensive and complicated.
Speaking to the Iranian state TV on Friday, Mohammad Javad Zarif has not rejected the possibility that the Geneva talks may continue until Saturday.
“Given the fact that the negotiations are time-consuming and complicated, the talks may be continued tomorrow,” he said.
Zarif also said that negotiating parties are trying to reach a joint statement in Geneva Talks.
Earlier, Zarif, who is also the country’s chief nuclear negotiator, said an "understanding or agreement" between Iran and the Group 5+1 on Tehran's nuclear program may be possible as soon as Friday.
A new round of nuclear talks between Iran and the G5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) kicked off in Switzerland on Thursday morning.
The two sides held a previous round of talks in the same Swiss city on October 15 and 16.
"I believe it is possible to reach an understanding or an agreement before we close these negotiations tomorrow evening (Friday, November 8)," Zarif told CNN.
"We've got to be creative, we've got to be innovative and deal with situations as - on the basis of realities, not on the basis of illusions," he added.
"I believe, at the end of the day, everybody will be happy with a deal that can be achieved today."
"I believe the ingredients are there," he said. "It takes quite a bit of effort, and quite a bit of good faith and political will. I know that we have it on our side, and I hope that we can expect the same from the other side,” Zarif pointed out.
