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P5+1, Iran meet for nuclear talks, agree to reconvene next month
Representatives of the P5+1 forum (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) and Iranian officials met yesterday in Geneva in the latest round of talks aimed at brokering a long-term agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme.
In November 2013, an interim Joint Plan of Action was concluded between the two sides, under which Iran agreed to pause aspects of its nuclear programme in return for a relaxation of some sanctions. The terms of the arrangement, originally intended to last for just six months, were extended in November until 30 June 2015 after P5+1 representatives and Iranian officials failed to agree a long-term accord on Tehran’s nuclear development.
The latest round of talks took place between political directors from both sides yesterday in Geneva, under the auspices of European Union (EU) representative Helga Schmid. They were preceded by direct talks last week between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Zarif. An EU statement described yesterday’s negotiations as “serious and useful meetings,” and a decision had been made to “meet again in early February.” Although Iranian deputy foreign minister Abbas Araqchi characterized the discussions as “good” and “extensive,” Reuters quotes French negotiator Nicolas de la Riviere saying, “The mood was very good, but I don’t think we made a lot of progress.” Meanwhile, China’s representative Wang Qun warned “Time is running short.”
One reason for such urgency is the steps being taken in the Republican-controlled US Congress to introduce legislation which would reintroduce suspended sanctions on Iran, if no agreement is reached by 1 July. President Obama has opposed the initiative as likely to undermine the current nuclear negotiations.
However, since the talks were extended, Iran has been accused of illicitly acquiring nuclear parts for the Arak heavy water reactor, contravening the Joint Plan of Action. It has also been alleged that during this time, Iran further infringed the interim agreement by failing to convert 3 per cent enriched uranium at the agreed rate.