Iran Nuclear NewsTalks on Iran nuclear deal expected in NY in...

Talks on Iran nuclear deal expected in NY in February: U.S.

-

Reuters: The opening round of talks between Iran and six world powers on a long-term deal for Tehran to curb parts of its nuclear program in exchange for a gradual end to sanctions is expected to take place next month in New York.

 

By Louis Charbonneau and Justyna Pawlak

UNITED NATIONS/BRUSSELS (Reuters) – – The opening round of talks between Iran and six world powers on a long-term deal for Tehran to curb parts of its nuclear program in exchange for a gradual end to sanctions is expected to take place next month in New York, a U.S. official said on Monday.

“It is our understanding that the first round of comprehensive negotiations will be in New York in mid-February with dates still being confirmed,” U.S. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said in an email.

“New York – agreed to by EU High Representative (Catherine) Ashton and Iranian Foreign Minister (Mohammad Javad) Zarif – has a similar support infrastructure to Geneva,” Harf said. “We believe that United Nations and international support is important for work on a comprehensive agreement.”

A senior Western diplomat told Reuters that the six powers were looking at the early part of the week of February 16, though the talks were unlikely to begin before February 18 due to a U.S. holiday.

In Washington, congressional aides said an attempt to impose new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program has stalled in the U.S. Congress and lawmakers were discussing whether to introduce a much weaker measure.

Last week the United States and the European Union began following through on promised sanctions relief for Iran covering oil exports, trade in precious metals and automotive services as part of a nuclear agreement signed in November that began taking effect on January 20, U.S. officials said.

In exchange for steps that Tehran had taken to halt its most sensitive nuclear-related activity, the White House said the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and the European Union will “follow through on our commitment to begin to provide the modest relief agreed to with Iran.”

Last week, a U.S. official said Iran was currently exporting about 60 percent less oil than it was two years ago and would be held to those reduced levels.

Iran is under U.S., EU and U.N. Security Council sanctions for refusing to halt uranium enrichment and other sensitive atomic work that could help it develop weapons.

Tehran rejects allegations from Western nations and their allies that it is seeking the capability to produce nuclear arms, insisting its atomic ambitions are limited to the peaceful generation of electricity.

The November 24 interim deal between Iran and the five permanent U.N. Security Council members plus Germany took nearly two months to hammer out in three rounds of talks in Geneva late last year. Western diplomats say that negotiations on a long-term deal will likely take much longer.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said last week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland that Iran is determined to negotiate a comprehensive deal on its nuclear program with the six world powers so it can develop its battered economy, inviting Western companies to seize opportunities now.

The November 24 interim deal is valid for six months, though it can be renewed based on mutual agreement.

(Reporting by Louis Charbonneau and Justyna Pawlak; Editing by James Dalgleish and David Gregorio) 

Latest news

What Gas Poisonings In Iran Tell Us About The Ruling Regime

For months schools in Iran have been in the crosshairs of gas attacks against the country’s children. The mullahs’...

Iran’s Regime Inches Toward Nuclear Weapons

Iran’s regime is once again at the center of a dangerous escalation of the proliferation of nuclear weapons. A...

US Congress Expresses Support for Iranian People’s Quest for a Democratic, Secular Republic

Several bipartisan members of the U.S. House of Representatives have presented a resolution (H. RES. 100) supporting the Iranian...

Wave Of Poisoning Attacks Against Schools Leave Hundreds Sick

Iran has been shaken for three months by serial poisoning attacks against all-girls schools, which has left more than...

Iranian Security Forces Beat Baluch Doctor To Death

On Thursday, February 23, activists in Sistan and Baluchestan provinces reported the news of the death of Dr. Ebrahim...

World Powers Should Hear The Voice Of Iranians, Not Dictators And Their Remnants

Iran’s nationwide uprising continues despite its ups and down. The clerical system’s demise no longer seems a dream but...

Must read

Iran car output plunges 42% amid sanctions

AFP: Auto production in sanctions-hit Iran nosedived by more...

Iran’s leader seeks ties with N. Korea

AP: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has demanded more ties with...

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you