Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday, after another round of nuclear talks in Vienna, that an agreement could be reached within a short time if the US acted with “honesty”.
Why it matters: Rouhani’s optimism comes as representatives of Iran and other world powers, including the US, are about to draw up a plan to restore the 2015 nuclear deal.
“The talks in Vienna have progressed about 60, 70% and if the Americans act within the framework of honesty, we will achieve results in a short time.”
– Hassan Rouhani in a meeting with political activists in Tehran
Send the news: Senior diplomats from Iran, the EU, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia and China met in Vienna today to review the progress of two expert working groups.
- The groups focused on the steps the US is taking to ease sanctions and Iran in relation to its nuclear program. The EU has announced that a third group would be formed to focus on the order of US and Iran’s potential action.
- The US envoy Rob Malley and his team did not attend the plenary session, but held indirect talks with the Iranians through EU representatives. They also met with members of the other delegations in Vienna.
- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ned Price said the talks in Vienna this week were businesslike and positive, but “there is still a long way to go. Most of the road is still ahead of us. ”
- Price said the US and Iran have a common goal in restoring the agreement, but the US will not make concessions without being sure that Iran will fully comply again.
What’s next: Members of the various delegations are expected to return to their capitals for consultations and then return to Vienna next week for another round of talks, the EU said in a statement.