Iran nuclear talks
January 14, 2015
Kerry and Zarif "had substantive meetings for approximately five hours today and they discussed a broad range of issues with a small group of staff from each side," a senior State Department official said on Wednesday.
Kerry also later unexpectedly returned for a second meeting with Zarif at a Geneva hotel after briefing senior US negotiators ahead of talks between the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, Germany and Iran.
Speaking to reporters before talks began, Zarif said the meeting would help gauge whether both sides were ready to advance towards a deal to curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
"I think it's important. I think it will show the readiness of the two parties to move forward and to speed up the process," Zarif told reporters.
Mohammad Nahavandian, top aide to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, struck an upbeat note before the talks: "The government has taken on a constructive attitude towards the nuclear issue and there is great hope to reach good results."
But Zarif also expressed his disappointment over the publication of the latest Charlie Hebdo cartoons of the prophet Muhammad. He said that dialogue with the West would be easier if it respected Muslim sensitivities.
Iran insists its nuclear program is solely for peaceful needs, while Western nations suspect Tehran is planning to develop nuclear weapons.
The deadline for an agreement, which would gradually see Western sanctions on Iran in place since 2006 lifted, is June 30.
ng/bk (Reuters, AP)