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Iran nuclear talks further extended following stalemate
Talks to agree an outline on a comprehensive nuclear accord between Iran and the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) were extended for the second time yesterday as Iran apparently refused to ease demands on crucial issues.
The two sides had originally set a 31 March deadline for an agreed framework, but this was extended by a further day. With the deadlock continuing, it was agreed yesterday that talks would continue again today in Switzerland. US State Department spokesperson Marie Harf said, “We continue to make progress but have not reached a political understanding” and that US Secretary of State John Kerry “will remain in Lausanne until at least Thursday morning to continue the negotiations.” France’s Foreign Minister returned to Switzerland to re-join the talks, while Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond commented “there are still some key issues that have to be worked through.”
It is widely reported this morning that there are two main outstanding issues, on which the Times says “Iran refuses to give ground.” Iran continues to insist that United Nations sanctions be lifted as soon as a deal is agreed, while the P5+1 position is phased sanctions relief in tandem with Iranian compliance. Iran is also pushing for continued nuclear research and development to be permitted under the deal. The Independent suggests that overall progress is being hampered by the Iranian delegation’s repeated consultation with Tehran’s Supreme Ruler Ayatollah Khamenei. White House spokesperson Josh Earnest warned that if the talks continue to be deadlocked, “the US and the international community is prepared to walk away.”
Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday warned again of the “unconscionable” danger of a deal which would allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons, with Tehran “accelerating its campaign of terror and conquest throughout region.” Netanyahu sited comments made this week by Iran’s Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, who told local media that “Wiping Israel off the map is not up for negotiation.”