Work is Going on But No Breakthrough Yet: British FM

Thu Jul 2, 2015 15:29:19

Talks on Iran's nuclear program were held in Vienna on Thursday. Western Negotiators attempted to reach a final deal that limits Iran's nuclear capability in exchange for lifting sanctions.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and EU official Helga Schmid are amongst the negotiators.Majid Takht-Ravanchi Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Euro-American Affairs also is among the negotiators.

Takht-Ravanchi insisted that all sanctions imposed against Iran over its peaceful nuclear porgram must be lifted as part of a comprehensive nuclear agreement.

This is one of the important issues that we have been insisting upon resolving from day one as we consider these sanctions being unjust and illegitimate, Takht-Ravanchi said while speaking to media representatives on the sidelines of the nuclear negotiations in Vienna.

Asked about the UN Security Council sanctions, Takht-Ravanchi said, 'When we will reach the implementation day all the past resolutions of the UNSC will be terminated.

A number of sanctions have been adopted by UN and they are not mostly economic-related sanctions. We are in discussion as to what would be the next step as far as the UNSC sanctions are concerned.'

Deputy Foreign Minister told reporters here that the expert-level talks have ended but discussions will be further held at the level of deputy foreign ministers.

The talks are fine-tuning a framework agreement reached earlier this month. Iran denies any interest in nuclear arms but has agreed to reduce programs that could be used to make such weapons. Tehran wants sanctions ended in exchange.

On the other side, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond made clear there has been no breakthrough yet in the ongoing nuclear

Speaking to the press upon arriving in Vienna, Hammond said, 'What I would say is that the work is going on. You see ministers coming and going over the next days.'

He vowed to keep the momentum of the talks going but noted no breakthrough has been made yet.

'We will do whatever we need to do to keep the momentum of the talks going,' Hammond added.

Iran's nuclear negotiations went into extra time as all seven countries (Group 5+1 and Iran) are keen on hammering a comprehensive final nuclear agreeement.

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