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Iran, Sextet to resume nuclear talks in Geneva

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Representatives from Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany are about to start a new round of negotiations in Geneva in a few hours.

The Iranian delegation headed by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived in Geneva late on Tuesday. European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton is leading the teams from the six nations.

Earlier on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed hope that talks would be fruitful.

“We hope the efforts that are being made will be crowned with success at the meeting that opens today in Geneva,” he said at a news conference.

Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday also voiced optimism about the prospect of success at the talks.

“I think there is every possibility for success of these talks, provided that the two sides engage in these discussions with good faith and with the political will to resolve the problem,” Zarif said on Tuesday at a joint press conference with his Italian counterpart Emma Bonino.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday headed to Russia in an attempt to undermine nuclear talks between Iran and the Sextet.

According to reports, Netanyahu plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin later on Wednesday to express his concerns about the deal on the negotiating table.

Israel has been spearheading a campaign to prevent a deal, described by Netanyahu as a “historic mistake”, during the negotiations.

Tel Aviv has demanded that Iran dismantle its entire nuclear energy program in return for the removal of sanctions which have been imposed against the country. This comes as the Israel regime is believed to be the sole possessor of nuclear weapons in the Middle East with 200-400 nuclear warheads.

During the last round of talks in Geneva, a first-step agreement was within reach but the position taken by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius in favor of the Israeli regime and a lack of commitment by US Secretary of State John Kerry spoiled the negotiations.

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