Iran, P5+1 to continue N-talks on 30 December
30 Dec 2013 3:03 AM IST
A spokeswoman for European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who oversees diplomacy with Iran on behalf of the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany, said talks were scheduled to last one day for now.
Two rounds of negotiations have been held so far since Iran agreed on 24 November to curb its most sensitive nuclear work in return for relief from some economic sanctions that are damaging its oil-dependent economy. In comments that highlight the challenges facing negotiators, Iran’s nuclear chief said on Friday Tehran was pressing on with tests of more efficient uranium enrichment technology. His comments appeared aimed at soothing the anger of Iranian hardliners over possible new US sanctions on Iran.
The nuclear experts have to work out when the deal will be implemented, triggering the loosening of economic restrictions by the EU and the United States. A key sticking point appears to be what information Western governments will receive in advance to verify that Iran is meeting its end of the deal before they lift some sanctions.
Other outstanding issues address how exactly sanctions will be eased and practical details of Iranian concessions. Some diplomats from the six nations have said they hoped the deal could be put fully in place by the second half of January. The talks resume at a sensitive time. Iranian hardliners, irked by the foreign policy shift since moderate President Hasan Rouhani was elected in June, oppose the Geneva deal and call it ‘a surrender to America’s pressure’ by the government.
A group of 100 hardline Iranian lawmakers are seeking to oblige the government to increase uranium enrichment to 60 percent, a level that can produce bomb-grade material if enriched further, if new US sanctions are imposed on Tehran. It is not clear if the bill will be debated in Iran’s 290-seat parliament as the country’s most powerful authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has repeatedly backed the Geneva talks. If approved, the bill would have to be ratified by a constitutional watchdog body to become law.
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Iranian lawmakers said their bill was a response to ‘America’s hostile measures’, referring to legislation introduced by 26 US senators last week to impose new sanctions on Iran if the Islamic Republic breaks the Geneva deal. A hardline Iranian MP said the process could be derailed if the US lawmakers imposed the tougher curbs despite the Obama administration’s opposition. ‘Ratification of such a bill could put an end to nuclear negotiations and Tehran may opt not to continue negotiations in the wake of such sanctions,’ said the deputy head of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Mansour Haqhiqhatpour, Press TV reported.
Two rounds of negotiations have been held so far since Iran agreed on 24 November to curb its most sensitive nuclear work in return for relief from some economic sanctions that are damaging its oil-dependent economy. In comments that highlight the challenges facing negotiators, Iran’s nuclear chief said on Friday Tehran was pressing on with tests of more efficient uranium enrichment technology. His comments appeared aimed at soothing the anger of Iranian hardliners over possible new US sanctions on Iran.
The nuclear experts have to work out when the deal will be implemented, triggering the loosening of economic restrictions by the EU and the United States. A key sticking point appears to be what information Western governments will receive in advance to verify that Iran is meeting its end of the deal before they lift some sanctions.
Other outstanding issues address how exactly sanctions will be eased and practical details of Iranian concessions. Some diplomats from the six nations have said they hoped the deal could be put fully in place by the second half of January. The talks resume at a sensitive time. Iranian hardliners, irked by the foreign policy shift since moderate President Hasan Rouhani was elected in June, oppose the Geneva deal and call it ‘a surrender to America’s pressure’ by the government.
A group of 100 hardline Iranian lawmakers are seeking to oblige the government to increase uranium enrichment to 60 percent, a level that can produce bomb-grade material if enriched further, if new US sanctions are imposed on Tehran. It is not clear if the bill will be debated in Iran’s 290-seat parliament as the country’s most powerful authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has repeatedly backed the Geneva talks. If approved, the bill would have to be ratified by a constitutional watchdog body to become law.
MORE CENTRIFUGES
Iranian lawmakers said their bill was a response to ‘America’s hostile measures’, referring to legislation introduced by 26 US senators last week to impose new sanctions on Iran if the Islamic Republic breaks the Geneva deal. A hardline Iranian MP said the process could be derailed if the US lawmakers imposed the tougher curbs despite the Obama administration’s opposition. ‘Ratification of such a bill could put an end to nuclear negotiations and Tehran may opt not to continue negotiations in the wake of such sanctions,’ said the deputy head of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Mansour Haqhiqhatpour, Press TV reported.
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