While Iranian officials have emphasized that the 5+1 members have not presented any new ideas in the nuclear negotiations, Reuters reports, citing sources, that senior diplomats from the US and Iran in Vienna have prepared new ideas for potential presentation to their capitals. On the other hand, diplomats continue to stress that there is a 'serious gap' between the parties. Eric Schultz, the White House spokesman, stated on November 21 in Washington, 'It is clear that Monday (November 24) is the final deadline, and our people are working hard to get the job done by the deadline. There are serious gaps.' An official close to the Iranian delegation told AFP, 'Everyone is trying to reach a comprehensive agreement so that later [they can] continue working and arrange the details.' Similar sentiments regarding a comprehensive agreement were expressed by Ali Larijani, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament. The official IRNA news agency quoted Larijani as saying, 'As far as I have been informed, the parties have had serious negotiations, and if we review the frameworks that have been established so far, there are grounds for understanding in general.' Reuters, citing sources close to the negotiations, reported that Oman's Foreign Minister, Yusuf bin Alawi, has been in Vienna. However, Western officials have stated that he has not played an active role in mediation. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also stated on Friday that 'no new and significant proposal has been put forward that I could take back to Tehran.' Reuters quoted a senior Western diplomat as saying that he is not optimistic about reaching a comprehensive agreement by the deadline of November 24. John Kerry, the US Secretary of State, in a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, said that achieving a comprehensive nuclear agreement by the set deadline on November 24 'requires more efforts.' Philip Hammond, the British Foreign Secretary, emphasized on Friday that there are complex issues; 'We are all engaging in technical discussions with our experts, and [negotiations] will resume over the weekend.'
Reuters: Iran and the US are discussing new ideas
Iran and the US are in negotiations regarding nuclear agreements, with both sides acknowledging significant gaps. The deadline for a comprehensive agreement is approaching, and while there are efforts to bridge differences, optimism is low. This situation is crucial as it impacts international relations and nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Iran and the US are engaged in nuclear negotiations in Vienna, with both sides acknowledging significant gaps in their positions. As the deadline approaches, officials express a desire for a comprehensive agreement but remain skeptical about reaching a consensus.
- The deadline for a comprehensive nuclear agreement is November 24.
- Diplomats from both sides report serious gaps in negotiations despite ongoing discussions.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The negotiations are part of ongoing efforts to address concerns over Iran's nuclear program, which many countries fear could lead to the development of nuclear weapons. Previous agreements, such as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have faced challenges and setbacks.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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