LATEST: Tehran Friday Prayer: Iraq Insurgency Will Turn Against Foreign Supporters

UPDATE 1500 GMT: An Iranian diplomat said on Friday, as the 5th round of talks on a comprehensive nuclear agreement ended in Vienna, that the next discussions would being on July 2 in the Austrian capital.

The diplomat said the talks “are making good progress”, as the two sides are “writing the draft of the deal”.

Iran and the 5+1 Powers are seeking a settlement by July 20, when an interim Joint Plan of Agreement expires.

Little news came out of Thursday’s fourth day of talks in Vienna between Iran and the 5+1 Powers (US, Britain, Germany, France, Russia, and China) on a comprehensive nuclear agreement.

Iranian negotiators, including Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, reiterated their comments that the two sides were drafting a text for a deal but that “fundamental differences” remained.

Unnamed Western diplomats put out the message that no progress had been made on the central issue of Iran’s number and level of centrifuges to enrich uranium to 5%.

Tehran wants to expand its stock of 19,000 centrifuges; the US and European powers demand a substantial reduction.

On Thursday, Zarif and the European Union’s Catherine Ashton, the lead negotiator for the 5+1 Powers, met for 2 1/2 hours between the Iranian and 5+1 delegations each held internal discussions.

Claims circulated on Thursday night that a sixth round of talks had been scheduled for Vienna on July 2, but these were not confirmed.

Tehran Friday Prayer: Iraq Insurgency Will Turn Against Foreign Supporters

Delivering the Tehran Friday Prayer, Hojatoleslam Kazem Seddiqi has said Iraqi insurgents — who are part of a foreign plot against Iran — will turn on their supporters, including Turkey, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

Seddiqi said the countries “will not be immune to the terrorist activities and the plot they have been hatching against Iran will backfire on them”.

The cleric claims support of the Islamic State of Iraq and as-Sham, including US arms through “regional governments”, was part of a Western attempt to counter the exposure of its weakness in the region: “The Islamic Awakening shocked them and they promote Islamophobia, Shiaphobia and Iranophobia to counter the wave.”

Tehran Scoffs at “Lack of Will” in Obama Statement on Iraq

Iranians officials have belittled President Obama’s Thursday statement on Iraq, including the despatch 300 US advisors to the country and increased surveillance and intelligence operations, as inadequate and suspicious.

“Delaying the fight against terrorism and ISIL and putting conditions on it have fuelled suspicions and doubts about the United States’ objectives in Iraq,” Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said. “Obama’s comments show the White House lacks serious will in fighting terrorism in Iraq and the region.”

The US President distanced Washington from cooperation with Iraq, expressing concern over Iran’s activities in the region, including its role in the Syrian crisis.

Oil Minister Cancels Contracts Signed by Ahmadinejad Government

Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh has issued orders for the immediate cancellation of contracts signed by his predecessor Rustam Qassemi during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s second Presidential term.

A series of investigations have claimed that contracts were improperly handled by the Oil Ministry and that the Ahmadinejad Government siphoned money from oil funds. Tycoon Babak Zanjani, who assisted Ahmadinejad’s officials in circumventing Western sanctions, is accused of taking $2 billion in revenues.

(FEATURED PHOTO: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif — Mohammad Ali Marizad/Tasnim)