Expert-level nuclear talks were constructive

An Iranian nuclear negotiator said on Friday that expert-level talks between Iran and the major powers on Tehran’s nuclear program were “constructive”.
Hamid Baeidinejad, the head of the Iranian delegation, also said that matters of substance were discussed during the “serious” talks.

The talks, held from March 5 to 7 at the United Nations complex in Vienna, were meant to prepare for the next round of political-level talks on the issue set for March 17 in the Austrian capital.

Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) clinched an interim deal in Geneva on November 24, 2013, according to which Iran agreed not to expand its nuclear program for six months in exchange for limited sanctions relief.

The Geneva agreement was designed to provide time to negotiate a comprehensive solution to the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program.

The six-month interim agreement came into force on January 20.

Iran and the six major powers agreed on a timetable and framework for negotiating a final deal during their talks in Vienna from February 18 to 20.