P5+1, Iran miss another deadline, resume nuke talks

/By AzerNews/http://www.azernews.az

By Sara Rajabova

The nuclear talks between the world powers and Iran have become more complicated as the sides still couldn’t iron out differences.

Failing to meet another deadline, the nuclear negotiators from P5+1 group of countries and Iran extended the talks on Iran’s nuclear energy program.

The sides resumed meeting to reach a final deal on resolving decades-old nuclear dispute on July 10 after missing July 9 deadline, RIA Novosti reported.

This plenary meeting is the first since the sides extended the negotiations for an indefinite period.

Prior to the meeting of international mediators, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry held a working lunch with head of European diplomacy Federica Mogherini and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in the morning on July 10. The Iranian side assessed the meeting as ‘productive’.

Zarif said the last-ditch talks between Tehran and the P5+1 group of world powers will likely continue through the weekend, Press TV reported.

"We're making progress. It seems we are staying here for the weekend. We're working," he said, adding, "We're not there yet."

A day earlier, Zarif voiced discontent saying the P5+1 group of world powers are shifting their positions and pressing excessive demands as marathon talks over Tehran’s nuclear energy program are nearing an endgame.

He said several countries in the P5+1 group hold different positions, adding such issues have made the negotiations difficult.

Furthermore, Iranian media quoted a senior Iranian official on the condition of anonymity as saying that the P5+1 put forwarded issues which had been resolved once again in nuclear talks.

“The West has changed its attitude in the nuclear talks. This issue has decelerated the pace of progress,” the source said.

The official further said that the U.S. should take decisions seriously, adding any agreement should be balanced, based on justice and fairness and the other side should show courage.

In the meantime, the U.S. warned that nuclear negotiations with Iran are not open-ended but there is no rush for a deal.

“We will not rush and we will not be rushed to a comprehensive deal,” Kerry said.

Kerry emphasized that progress has been made in the talks but tough issues still remained unresolved.

“We would not be here continuing to negotiate for the sake of negotiating. We know that difficult decisions don't become easier over time,” he said, warning that the U.S. and its negotiating partners are “prepared to call an end to this” if “tough decisions don't get made.”

Iran and the P5+1 countries - the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany - have been engaged in talks in Vienna towards reaching a landmark agreement over Tehran’s nuclear program.

The deal’s deadline has been extended twice, and both U.S. and Iranian officials have said differences remain ahead of a third deadline on July 10.