(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Western powers, P5+1, and Iran on Thursday carry on their talks in Lausanne, for a hard-fought deal on Tehran's controversial nuclear program.
They are seeking to put an end to a stalemate which extended negotiations beyond a March 31 deadline.
Back to Lausanne to rejoin the negotiation, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius affirmed that are in a final phase, yet the hardest.
"We are a few meters .. from the finishing line, but we are well aware that the final meters are the hardest," told reporters on arrival.
US Secretary of State John Kerry was expected to remain in the Swiss city today, as American sources hinted progress has been made, but not a consensus.
This closing stage of the negotiations, according to almost identical remarks from members of the negotiating teams, focuses on what to be announced for the public, What is expected is "a general framework", nearly a press statement, free of details.
It could also take the shape of "a declaration of principles" on commitments agreed upon by the negotiators, and what to be left for the next round slated for the end of June.
However, statements from Washington and Tehran on the negotiations last night revealed hidden tension.
Iranian Minister of Defense Brigadier General Hussein Dehqan said late on Wednesday that remarks by the US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter were made from a passive stance and "are worthless." They are always repeated by US officials.
A day earlier, Carter said if the talks failed, "the military option certainly will remain on table." Other American sources hinted that the Congress might add pressure on Iran through "harder" economic sanctions.
The US and its partners in the talks "have not yet received the specific, tangible commitment that the international community seeks," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said yesterday.
"But if we are in a situation where we sense that the talks have stalled, then yes, the United States and the international community is prepared to walk away," she warned.
But Iran's Foreign Minister urged the world powers to "seize the moment" and give up "excessive demands." He told reporters late yesterday that Iran had shown readiness to engage with dignity and "it's time for our negotiating partners to seize the moment." The powers hope a full agreement, due to be finalized by June 30, will see Iran scale back its nuclear capability to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons under the guise of its civilian program.
Western powers are seeking to ensure Iran would not press ahead with schemes to make nuclear bombs, but Tehran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and maintains its right to develop nuclear potentials for non-military purposes
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.