Obama Says ’Historic Opportunity’ within Reach in Talks with Iran

Friday 20 March 2015

Obama Says ’Historic Opportunity’ within Reach in Talks with Iran

US President Barack Obama said Thursday that a deal to transform the relationship between the two countries could be within reach.

"We have the best opportunity in decades to pursue a different future between our countries," he said in a video message for Persian New Year.

However, He conceded there were still "gaps" in negotiations but was hopeful, stating that "this moment may not come again soon."

In his message celebrating Nowruz, Obama expressed beliefs "that our nations have an historic opportunity to resolve this issue peacefully - an opportunity we should not miss."
If Iran's leaders agreed to a reasonable deal, then the country would be on a path to prosperity, he said.

Obama has yet to convince the US Congress of the merits of a deal, as many lawmakers remain opposed to the easing of sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

Earlier this month, 47 Republican senators warned Iran's leaders that any deal on Tehran's nuclear program could be revoked once Obama leaves office.

The move was condemned by the White House as an attempt to undermine the president's foreign policy.

According to unnamed officials talking to Associated Press news agency, the deal being hatched in the long-running talks will commit Tehran to a 40% cut in the number of machines it could use to make an atomic bomb.

In return, economic sanctions would be eased sharply and a UN embargo on conventional arms would be partially lifted.

The sticking points are thought to include the pace at which sanctions would be lifted, how long the deal will last and how much Iran's nuclear facilities will be open to inspection.

On Thursday, a cross-party letter signed by 360 members of Congress was sent to the president, reminding him that the lifting of permanent US sanctions against Iran would require new legislation from Congress.

Iran insists its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.

On Thursday, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met for the fourth consecutive day in Switzerland.

The six world powers - the US, China, Russia, UK, Germany and France - and Iran are hoping to reach a framework agreement by 31 March.


Source: Websites	20-03-2015 - 09:28 Last updated 20-03-2015 - 09:28

Iran FM Sees Progress in Nuclear Talks with World Powers

Local Editor

Kerry-Zarif

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Thursday his talks in Switzerland with US Secretary of State John Kerry on Iran's nuclear program are making progress although "a lot of work" remains.

"We are advancing very well but there's still a lot of work to be done," he told Iran's state news agency IRNA in the Swiss city of Lausanne on the fourth day of the nuclear negotiations.

His assessment echoed that of Kerry, who said the talks were facing "tough issues" but "progress" was being made ahead of a March 31 deadline for the outlines of a major deal.

The Iranian negotiators are in talks with their US and European counterparts in Lausanne since Sunday.

Zarif to stay in Lausanne 'as long as required'

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Thursday that he will stay in Lausanne as long as it is required to negotiate over a deal on Iran's peaceful nuclear program.