Negotiations continued deep into the night in Lausanne between Iran and the 5 +1 group of world powers over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Progress is
Negotiations continued deep into the night in Lausanne between Iran and the 5 +1 group of world powers over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Progress is slow to reach even a preliminary agreement with diplomats in Switzerland saying talks are finely balanced between success and failure.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif gave his take on the talks so far: “If they, (5+1) reach an agreement on the framework of the deal today, then there will be a joint statement by Federica Mogherini and myself. Only after that will we be able to start drafting the final agreement.”
The stumbling blocks remain however.
The 5+1 group wants to prevent Tehran developing a nuclear bomb.
While Iran desires a lifting of international sanctions and the right to a civil nuclear programme.
Our correspondent Reihaneh Mazaheri is in Lausanne:“The Iran nuclear talks now enter an eighth day and are ongoing behind closed doors. Both say significant progress has been made, but for a joint statement to be issued solutions must be found.”
All sides are under pressure not to leave the talks empty handed with the wider, more imposing deadline of July 30 looming, by which time a comprehensive deal must be finally decided upon.