LATEST: Rouhani Meets Russia’s Putin
Iran’s senior nuclear negotiator has warned of the challenge of reaching a comprehensive nuclear deal in talks that resume next Thursday, two months before the deadline for a resolution.
Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was speaking after a meeting in Vienna with three European members — Britain, France, and Germany — of the 5+1 Powers who are negotiating with Tehran.
“We are always optimistic…but we have a difficult road to go,” Araqchi said. “It was just some consultations and exchange of views trying to bridge the gaps between the two sides. We hope to make progress next week in New York.”
The Tehran Friday Prayer leader, Ayatollah Movahedi Kermani, maintained pressure on Iran’s negotiators by calling on them to remain firm over Iranian demands: “If you respect the red lines in the negotiations with the other side, you will surely have the support of Iran’s Supreme Leader and all Iranians.”
“We remind the Iranian negotiators that the US is enemy and you have to believe that only animosity is expected from the enemy, he added.
The last talks between the two sides adjourned on July 18 after a 16-day session in Vienna did not bring an agreement. Interim arrangements for Iran’s nuclear program were extended until November 24 to allow discussions to continue.
The chief issue of disagreement is the number and level of Iran’s centrifuges for enrichment of uranium to 5% for civil purposes.
Rouhani Meets Russia’s Putin
Amid signs of Iran’s increasing economic reliance on Russia in the event of a breakdown of nuclear talks, President Rouhani has met Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
See Iran Daily, Sept 10: Tehran’s Economic Salvation — Alliance With Russia
Iranian media gave few details, instead putting out platitudes of the leaders declaring “the necessity of promoting bilateral relations in all fields”, as they discussed “issues of mutual interest as well as regional and international developments”.
Rouhani also called for “further enhancement of relations in engineering and commercial fields as well as export of agricultural products”.