Iran Hopes to Strike Nuclear Deal by July 20

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RIA Novosti, PUBLISHED 14.05.2014

Iran is determined to reach a comprehensive nuclear agreement with the six global powers by July 20, the nation’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Iran’s Irna news agency.

“We are very hopeful and so is the other side that an agreement can be reached before July 20, if there is goodwill and real political determination,” Irna cited Araqchi as saying at a press briefing late on Tuesday.

The minister emphasized that there were still some “big gaps” to bridge before the parties could make any headway on the deal to make Iran’s nuclear program more transparent.

The fourth round of nuclear talks on a broader agreement kicks off in Vienna Wednesday.

According to Araqchi, two more rounds are planned in June, with the third one due in July. He added the July session could be stretched out as long as 20 days, if needed.

Both sides earlier said they hoped to build on the interim deal that saw Tehran curb its uranium enrichment in return for sanctions relief.

The six-month accord was reached in November 2013 but only took effect in January 2014. It gives Iran and the six international mediators – the so-called P5+1 comprising Russia, China, France, the US, the EU plus Germany – to agree a broader deal until late July, though the deadline can be extended.

The talks seek to allay the West’s fears that Iran is on its way to build weapons of mass destruction, with Tehran claiming the goals of its nuclear program are peaceful.

Topics: Asia, Iran

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