Kerry and Fabius: Significant Differences Remain for Achieving Nuclear Agreement

The foreign ministers of the United States and France emphasized in a joint press conference that the West seeks a nuclear agreement with Iran, but there are still "significant differences" between the parties. Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of the United Nations also called for flexibility from Iran and the members of the 1+5 group to resolve Tehran's nuclear dispute and reach a comprehensive agreement. According to Reuters, Laurent Fabius, the French Foreign Minister, stated on Thursday, November 20, in a joint press conference with his American counterpart John Kerry regarding the nuclear negotiations with Iran: "We want an agreement, but important issues of disagreement remain." Mr. Fabius added: "We hope to reduce these differences in the coming days, but this depends on the Iranian side's approach." On the other hand, John Kerry also emphasized the West's unified stance regarding the Iranian nuclear dispute in a separate press conference held at the U.S. Embassy in Paris. Mr. Kerry stated: "We agree on fundamental principles, which is demonstrable... and we are confident in our unity." When asked about the potential extension of nuclear negotiations with Iran, Mr. Kerry responded: "We are not discussing an extension [of negotiations]. We are negotiating and our effort is to reach an agreement. If at the last moment we conclude that we must explore other avenues, then we will do so." However, Reuters reported in another article citing sources close to the nuclear negotiations that there is a possibility of a three-month extension of these negotiations. Iran and the 1+5 group, which includes the U.S., Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany, have until December 3 to reach a comprehensive agreement regarding Iran's nuclear dispute. The latest round of nuclear talks also began on Tuesday this week in Vienna, where John Kerry will join the negotiations today, Thursday. Reuters quoted a Western diplomat stating: "It is possible that at this stage a temporary agreement may be reached, or at best, the parties may reach an understanding on the framework of the agreement by Monday, which will be worked on in the following weeks and months." This report is accompanied by similar statements from an Iranian official who said that the parties need more time to resolve some technical issues. This Iranian official also emphasized that the timing regarding the lifting of sanctions on Iran remains a major issue in the negotiations. Previously, the British Foreign Secretary had also stated that he was not optimistic about reaching a nuclear agreement by December 3 and that this deadline might be extended. In the meantime, Ali Larijani, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, stated that the prolonged negotiations are not in the interest of the global powers. According to the IRNA news agency, Mr. Larijani said on Wednesday: "The 5+1 countries should take advantage of the opportunity of nuclear negotiations with Iran, and if they take more time, it is not in their favor either." He added, "The negotiation methods of the 5+1 countries lack strategic form and resemble grocery bargaining, which is why it has been prolonged." Mr. Larijani ultimately stated: "The 5+1 countries should not discourage Iran from the path it has chosen... because the solutions Iran has proposed have been fair and logical." Meanwhile, Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, called on the parties in the nuclear negotiations to adopt a flexible policy that would end this 12-year dispute. Mr. Ban's press office announced on Thursday regarding the nuclear negotiations in Vienna: "The Secretary-General urges the parties to demonstrate the necessary flexibility, wisdom, and determination for the success of the negotiations." This announcement adds that Mr. Ban believes that achieving such an agreement would contribute to strengthening international and regional security.