Iranian Diplomat: Timetable for Sanctions Removal Specified

A senior diplomat close to Iran’s negotiating team disclosed that Iran and the Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, France and Britain plus Germany) have worked out a timetable for sanctions removal during their ongoing talks in Vienna.
“Iran and the world powers are negotiating on the details of the timetable,” the diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

He underlined that intensive and heavy work is underway to clarify all the dimensions for the removal of the sanctions.

Meantime, the source rejected the news reports that the negotiations between Iran and the world powers have been extended until July 9, and said, “No date has been set as yet and the two sides have only agreed to continue negotiations after June 30.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, President’s special aide Hossein Fereidoun and Salehi left Tehran for Vienna on Tuesday to attend Iran-powers nuclear talks.

Zarif, who had traveled to Vienna on Saturday to talk with his counterparts from the six world powers, had a pre-planned trip to Tehran on Sunday.

After arriving in Vienna today, the Iranian foreign minister reminded the high sensitivity of Tehran and the world powers’ last-ditch efforts to reach a final nuclear deal, and said his country wants a fair and balanced agreement.

“The talks have arrived at a highly sensitive stage,” Zarif told reporters.

Asked about the presence of Salehi in this round of nuclear talks with the Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany), he said given Salehi’s health conditions after his recent medical surgery, his presence “indicates Iran’s seriousness in the negotiations”.

Stressing that the talks are “certainly progressing”, Zarif said, “A sustainable agreement needs political resolve. Tehran will accept a fair and balanced agreement.”

“The other side knows that a good agreement cannot be reached without accepting Iran’s rights,” he added.