Iraqchi: Progress in Nuclear Negotiations Is Not as Expected

A senior member of the Islamic Republic's nuclear negotiating team stated that although "the differences regarding the text of the agreement have somewhat decreased," the "progress is not at the level we expected." Abbas Iraqchi, who left Vienna for Luxembourg on Monday, July 1, described the final agreement text as "complex" and told the central news unit: "What is important for us is to reach a desirable agreement acceptable to the Iranian people, in which the rights of the Iranian people are recognized and respected, Iran's nuclear program continues to grow and progress, and sanctions are lifted." Previously, Russia had also described the "slowing progress" of these negotiations as "very concerning." Abbas Iraqchi and other members of Iran's nuclear negotiating team are heading from Vienna to Luxembourg, where Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will also travel from Tehran. The team members are scheduled to meet in Luxembourg with the foreign ministers of Britain, France, and Germany, as well as the EU's foreign policy and defense chief, in both group and bilateral formats, with less than 10 days remaining before the nuclear talks deadline. Meanwhile, Mr. Iraqchi emphasized that "this deadline is not final for us" and "if it is necessary to negotiate for a few more days, we will do so." Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif echoed similar sentiments. Zarif, who was en route to Luxembourg from Tehran, stressed that "the importance of reaching a good and suitable agreement outweighs a few days of delay or advancement." The Iranian Foreign Minister urged "all" negotiating parties to "avoid excessive demands and claims outside international frameworks to make reaching an agreement possible." Zarif also noted that "some differences remain," which are "partly technical and partly political." Nevertheless, the Iranian Foreign Minister stated: "We are trying to complete the work at the earliest opportunity." The main contentious issues between Tehran and the six global powers include how to facilitate or lift international sanctions against Iran, inspections and interviews with those involved in the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, and inspections of Iran's military facilities.