|
. | . |
|
by Staff Writers Tehran (AFP) Jan 12, 2015
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Monday that a more active role for Russia could speed up talks aimed at sealing a comprehensive deal on Tehran's disputed nuclear programme. With meetings between Iran and world powers to resume in Geneva on Wednesday, Russia's deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov was visiting Tehran, with both sides seeking a breakthrough. "A more active Russian role is an important element in accelerating the final settlement of questions for a global nuclear agreement," Zarif was quoted as saying on state media. With a final deal at stake by a June 30 deadline, the talks have stalled on key issues. Ryabkov, who heads up the Russian negotiating team under the P5+1 talks, said good ties between Tehran and Moscow can still help "a rapid settlement of nuclear relations relating to Iran". Since an interim accord struck in November 2013, two deadlines for a final deal between Iran and the P5+1 powers (Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany) have been missed. Under the interim deal, Iran's stock of fissile material has been diluted from 20 percent enriched uranium to five percent in exchange for Tehran receiving limited sanctions relief. Experts say such technical steps push back the "breakout capacity" to make an atomic weapon, while Iran denies seeking a nuclear bomb. Iran's atomic agency chief Ali Akbar Salehi, however, said Sunday that Tehran was insistent on increased uranium enrichment, saying that in eight years it would need to produce 12 times more than at present. Iran says it needs more enrichment to create fuel for peaceful nuclear energy production, but the issue has been a stumbling block in talks with world powers, who say a lower capability would suffice. In Geneva, US Secretary of State John Kerry will meet Zarif on Wednesday, with lower-level P5+1 meetings on January 18. The other main obstacle to a final deal is the timeline for lifting sanctions imposed on Iran for pursuing its nuclear programme in the face of international pressure. Although Iran is led in the talks by Zarif and a team of negotiators, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the Islamic republic's supreme leader, has the final say on any decision.
Related Links Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service. |