Tehran’s Nuclear Program
TEHRAN – A top Iranian nuclear negotiator has said that the uranium enrichment program by Iran is one of the most difficult parts of the talks with major powers and given the sensitivity and the capacity of the issue, no agreement has been achieved yet.
Abbas Araqchi made the remarks in a televised interview aired on Sunday.
“But we will continue making efforts; we are not disappointed and not too much optimistic either,” Araqchi stated.
Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN
Security Council plus Germany) started a new round of talks in Vienna on
July 2 in pursuit of a comprehensive deal to resolve the dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program, which has dragged on for over a decade.
He said that there are differences over almost all the important
issues, adding that differences over some issues have been reduced and
solutions have been presented for some others.
He went on to say that the proposals made by the sides have not been accepted yet.
Araqchi stated that Iran’s position in regard to uranium enrichment is “reasonable” and “transparent”.
Uranium enrichment program has been designed based on the real
needs of the country which is producing fuel to operate nuclear power
plants, he noted.
The deputy foreign minister expressed hope that the trip of the
foreign ministers of the U.S., UK, Russia, China, France and Germany to
Vienna would help resolve the core issues.
Kerry and his counterparts from Russia, China, France, Germany and the UK have been invited to attend the negotiations.
Araqchi said the situation becomes more complicated, if the foreign ministers’ presence will not help reach a final deal.
Iran and the major powers have set a July 20 deadline to clinch a long-term comprehensive nuclear deal. The deadline can be extended by another half year if both sides agree.
Araqchi said it is possible that no result would be achieved on July 20 deadline.
NA/PA
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