Iran and US Delegations Discuss Nuclear Negotiations in Geneva

The negotiating delegations of Iran and the United States, led by Abbas Araghchi and Wendy Sherman, the deputy foreign ministers of the two countries, met on Monday, December 15, to discuss Tehran's controversial nuclear program in Geneva, Switzerland. According to ISNA news agency, this meeting took place within the framework of Iran's nuclear negotiations with the P5+1 group and followed the extension of talks for another seven months to reach a comprehensive agreement. The report states that this round of discussions focuses on evaluating the ideas and proposals presented in the last round of negotiations in Vienna. Following the extension of negotiations between the parties until July 1, 2015, it was agreed that during this period, another portion of Iran's frozen assets would be released. ISNA noted that this is the first time that negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 are being held at the deputy level without the presence of the heads of the negotiating delegations. Meanwhile, AFP reported, citing a diplomatic source, that representatives of the P5+1 countries will also attend the negotiations on Wednesday in Geneva. The members of this group are the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, China, and Germany. According to this report, Helga Schmid, the political deputy responsible for foreign policy at the European Union, will also be present at the negotiations on Wednesday in Geneva. Earlier reports indicated that the scope and dimensions of Iran's uranium enrichment program, how to continue the activities of the Islamic Republic's nuclear facilities, and how to lift international sanctions against Iran are the main points of contention between the parties. In this context, according to IRNA news agency, Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, stated on Monday, December 15, that "Tehran negotiates with the world logically and calculatedly," adding, "One day all our negotiations will be broadcast, and people and the world will see how hard and diligently the Iranian negotiators worked because these negotiations are very complex." He emphasized his "100 percent trust" in the Iranian negotiating team, saying, "They are experienced; the people should also have confidence, our path is correct, and we will continue this path, which will be better if it progresses sooner, but we must be cautious." Since the beginning of the nuclear negotiations in President Rouhani's administration, hardline conservatives have severely criticized the performance of the nuclear negotiating team. For instance, on July 14, participants at the "Red Line" conference harshly attacked the Iranian nuclear negotiating team. Previously, on May 3, a similar conference titled "We Are Concerned" was held with the presence of several representatives from the Stability Front in the parliament. In this context, Velayati stated: "The missile issue will not be raised in negotiations with the P5+1." The Iran-P5+1 nuclear negotiations have been extended for another seven months. Obama stated: "If a reliable agreement is reached with Iran, I will convince Congress." Continuing negotiations towards a "political agreement"; "the possibility of a one-year extension."