Nuclear talks covered Geneva topics: Iran

A top Iranian negotiator says Tehran and the P5+1 group have discussed all the topics included in the interim Geneva nuclear deal signed between the two sides back in November.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi made the remarks at the end of the first day of nuclear talks with the P5+1 group deputies over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program.

The new round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council — the US, Britain, Russia, France and China — plus Germany started in the Austrian capital Vienna on Tuesday.

Araqchi said there are different viewpoints regarding the time frame for the completion of the talks but a final agreement is possible in less than six months.

“Discussions were useful, constructive and were made in good atmosphere,” he said.

The top Iranian negotiator stated that Tehran would continue its uranium enrichment program, saying that “the enrichment will continue, it will not be suspended or stopped, but its dimensions will be determined during the negotiations.”

Araqchi also criticized the US secretary of state for his latest accusations that Iran was seeking a nuclear bomb. He said Tehran has nothing to hide as all aspects of its nuclear program are peaceful.

Iran and the six world powers reached an interim deal on November 24, 2013, in the Swiss city of Geneva. The deal took effect on January 20.

Under the Geneva deal, the six countries agreed to provide Iran with some sanctions relief in exchange for Iran agreeing to limit certain aspects of its nuclear activities during a six-month period. It was also agreed that no nuclear-related sanctions would be imposed on the Islamic Republic within the same time frame.