Zarif: Serious Discussions At Top Political Level Necessary

Vienna, July 15, IRNA – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said he had good exchange of views with his American counterpart John Kerry. The foreign minister made the remarks here Tuesday while talking to reporters on the 14th day of the 6th round of nuclear talks with G5+1. Referring to three round of talks with Kerry, he said serious talks are necessary at high political level. He said Iranˈs attempt was to remove the stalemate which is based on illogical factors. He also noted that Tehran was trying to get to the point agreed upon in the Geneva nuclear deal. An Iranian diplomat familiar with nuclear negotiations said Monday that nuclear talks between Iran and the US were intensive and comprehensive. ˈIt is too early to say whether we can reach an agreement by July 20 and we are still making every effort,ˈ the diplomat told IRNA on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to make public statements on the matter. Asked whether there is any sign of narrowing the differences after face-to-face negotiations between Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and US Secretary of State John Kerry, the diplomat said, the two sides have not changed their views to a large extent, however, it is too early for conclusion. The foreign ministers of Germany, France, Britain and the US joined the Vienna talks on Sunday to help narrow the remaining gaps with Iran. After meeting with their counterparts and bilateral meetings with Foreign Minister Zarif, the three European foreign ministers immediately left Vienna. But the US secretary of state is still in Vienna, mainly because a key part of the differences, including the timetable for lifting of sanctions on Iran depends on the United States. Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China – Plus Germany set July 20 as the target date for reaching a Comprehensive Agreement on nuclear dispute under an interim deal last November. Thus, in their last effort to meet the deadline, they started their sixth round of talks in Vienna on July 2 which will continue until July 20./end