Iran, Sextet to start 3rd day of nuclear talks

Iran and six major world powers are set to start the third day of a new round of talks on Tehran’s nuclear energy program in the Swiss city of Geneva.

The Iranian delegation is headed by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif while EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton leads the group of six countries.

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the US, France, Britain, Russia and China – plus Germany kicked off their latest round of talks on Wednesday.

The two sides are working to hammer out an interim deal to pave the ground for a final resolution to the West’s decade-old dispute with Iran over its nuclear energy program.

Ashton’s chief spokesperson Michael Mann described the talks between the two sides as very “substantial and detailed.”

The Iranian team echoed the remarks, saying discussions have already delved into content and details. However, they added that differences remain between the two sides.

During the last round of talks in Geneva in early November, 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.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who is a member of the Iranian negotiating delegation, said Thursday that Tehran’s right to uranium enrichment is not negotiable.

He, however, added that the extent, level and location of enrichment can be negotiated.