Iran, six world powers hold ‘useful’ nuclear talks but agreement remains elusive
Preparatory talks ahead of a major meeting of foreign ministers on Iran's nuclear programme next week finds some common areas for a draft text agreement
Iran and six world powers held more “useful” talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme, the European Union announced on Wednesday, as a Western diplomat said they are still struggling to overcome deep disagreements on the future of Iranian atomic capabilities.
The remarks came after two days of expert-level talks in New York between Iran and the United States, France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia on a long-term accord that would end a decade-old dispute over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions by a self-imposed July 20 deadline.
“[The six powers] and Iranian technical experts had a useful meeting on 6-7 May in New York,” an EU spokesman said.
“As a result of this round, we should at least get some elements of the agreed text.”
“The talks aimed at further deepening of the knowledge on the issues and to contribute to the preparations for the next round of [senior-level] negotiations on a comprehensive agreement due to take place next week in Vienna,” he added.
A spokesman for Iran’s UN mission said Tehran would shortly issue a similar statement through Iranian media on the New York talks, which were a prelude to next week’s negotiations in the Austrian capital.
The West suspects Iran may be seeking a nuclear weapons capability. Iran says its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and intended solely for generating electricity and isotopes usable in cancer treatment.
Iran wants an end to crippling international sanctions, which have damaged its oil-dependent economy by forcing a sharp reduction in crude exports from the Islamic Republic.
A Western diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Iran and the six powers had made progress on scenarios for resolving a dispute over Iran’s Arak nuclear reactor, which could yield significant quantities of bomb-grade plutonium if it is put on line without major modifications.
