Key issues hindering progress in Iran Nuclear Talks

Major problems are still hindering progress in nuclear talks for a deal on Iran’s nuclear program, media reports quoted Iranian negotiator Abbas Araqchi as saying on Saturday.

“The talks are overall hard and progressing slowly, despite progress in some areas,” said Araqchi, Xinhua news agency reported.

Iran and the world powers are trying to reach the deal before June 30 and have no plan to extend the talks beyond the deadline, Araqchi said.

He made the remarks on the sidelines of the talks between Iran and the world powers in the Austrian capital of Vienna.

Foreign ministers of Iran and the P5+1 group, the US, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany, are expected to meet in Vienna this weekend for a final rush for the potential nuclear deal before the self-imposed deadline.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said on Friday that he went to Vienna “to secure a fair and lasting deal”.

“Iranians want a dignified deal and reject excessive demands,” he tweeted.

Iran and the P5+1 group agreed on a framework of understanding in early April and set June 30 as a deadline for reaching a final deal, after missing two previous deadlines in June and last November. (IANS)