John Kerry: Negotiations Could Take Any Turn in Current Conditions

John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated that while the nuclear negotiations with Iran have made real progress, the current conditions are such that the negotiations could take any turn. The nuclear talks between Iran and world powers are only two days away from the deadline set for reaching a comprehensive agreement, and U.S. officials indicate that some significant unresolved issues remain. On Sunday, July 14, after several rounds of negotiations with his Iranian counterpart, Kerry addressed reporters and noted the recent progress in the nuclear talks, saying, 'I completely agree with the Iranian Foreign Minister's statement that we have never been this close to a nuclear agreement, but under current conditions, the negotiations could go in any direction.' Two days prior, Mohammad Javad Zarif had stated that Iran and the international community had never been this close to a sustainable agreement, although it cannot be said with certainty that such an agreement will be reached. Kerry also emphasized the need for difficult decisions to achieve a nuclear agreement, stating that otherwise, there would be no possibility for an agreement. According to the U.S. Secretary of State, now is the time to determine whether reaching a nuclear agreement is achievable, and if Iran shows absolute stubbornness, the U.S. is willing to walk away from the negotiations, as Barack Obama has also reiterated this position. Kerry ultimately stated that the negotiators have not yet reached the stage they need to reach, and difficult decisions must be made to achieve a comprehensive nuclear agreement by the deadline this week. Iran and the P5+1 group, consisting of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany, have extended the nuclear negotiations until Tuesday, July 16. Kerry and Zarif had three rounds of negotiations with each other from Sunday morning until the afternoon. On this day, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, the UK, and Russia will also join the negotiations, while it has been announced that the Chinese Foreign Minister will arrive in Vienna on Monday.