Vienna: Iran and world powers seem to be on the cusp of achieving a nuclear deal, that may be announced as soon as today, bringing to an end a 12-year dispute that led to strict economic sanctions on the Persian Gulf nation.
Last-minute technical and legal complexities meant that the accord was impossible to conclude yesterday, according to four officials at the talks. The draft has swollen in days to about 100 pages from 80, according to two of the officials, who asked not to be named in line with diplomatic rules.
Although for the past few weeks, during marathon talks at Vienna’s Palais Coburg, the diplomats had regularly claimed to be very close to a deal, this time, after three missed deadlines, it could be the real thing.
Diplomats yesterday were said to have solved an issue with the United Nations arms embargo that had been a hurdle, and were attempting to resolve other matters that have rendered an agreement elusive. They’ve given themselves through today to clinch a deal.
Speaking from his balcony at the hotel yesterday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told reporters another extension in the talks with six other nations isn’t being contemplated, even as negotiators still had work to do.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said yesterday he and Zarif had a “very good” meeting and once again voiced optimism that an accord was within reach. “We’re getting to some real decisions,” Kerry said. “So I will say — because we have a few tough things to do — I remain hopeful. Hopeful.” Bloomberg
