Last-minute changes ruined Iran N-deal: Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says amendments made by a member of the six world powers to a US-proposed draft proposal during the recent Iran nuclear talks in the Swiss city of Geneva spoiled efforts to reach a deal.

Lavrov, who is on a visit to Egypt, said on Thursday that Iran and six world powers were close to reaching an agreement on a deal during their talks in Geneva, but last-minute amendments to the draft document blocked a deal, AP reported.

The Russian official, however, did not mention which of the six countries had introduced the amendments.

He expressed hope that representatives of the six countries will not abandon “agreements that already have been shaped” and strike a pact with Iran during next week’s talks.

On November 7, Iran and the six world powers – the US, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany – kicked off intense discussions in Geneva which stretched into a third day. The two sides did not reach an agreement, but stressed that significant progress had been made and expressed optimism about the prospect of a possible deal in the future.

Political observers say France has been the main reason behind the failure of the six countries involved in nuclear negotiations with Iran to reach an agreement with Tehran over its nuclear energy program.

On November 9, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said in an interview that “Israel’s concerns” must be taken into consideration in the course of the negotiations, adding that there is “no certainty” whether Iran and six powers will reach an agreement at the current stage.

The next round of talks between Iran and the six countries is slated for November 20 in the Swiss city.