Rouhani on Nuclear Negotiations: Iran Has Taken Necessary Steps

Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, stated on Tuesday, February 9, that there have been "good progress" in nuclear negotiations with global powers and that the Islamic Republic has taken the "necessary steps" and it is now "the turn of the other side." According to the Iranian presidential website, Rouhani, during a meeting with a senior Indian official, also mentioned that Iran is pursuing negotiations "seriously," but there is still "a distance to a final agreement." Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, has met since Friday, February 6, with the foreign ministers of the U.S., Germany, the UK, and Russia, members of the 1+5 group, as well as Yukiya Amano, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Zarif's discussions with his counterparts were held behind closed doors, and he only stated that the talks have entered the "details of technical discussions" and are currently focused on how to lift sanctions and the number of centrifuges. Rouhani's comments on Tuesday regarding achieving "good progress" echo remarks made by Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, who stated in an interview with the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram published on Monday that there have been "significant advances" in the negotiations between the Islamic Republic and the 5+1 group. Meanwhile, Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, announced on Tuesday that Iranian negotiators will act based on the solution outlined by the Leader in the negotiations. According to Velayati, Ayatollah Khamenei outlined a solution on February 8 that our negotiators will also operate within that framework, and we hope they can advance their work in the negotiations. On Sunday, February 8, Khamenei emphasized in a speech that he supports the continuation and progress of the nuclear negotiations and reaching a good agreement, and certainly, the Iranian nation has no objection to any agreement that embodies its dignity and respect. He added, "A good point that the respected President mentioned is that negotiation means both sides reaching common points, which means one side will not expect everything it desires to be included in the agreement." Iran and the 5+1 group have agreed to reach a "political agreement" by late March this year, early Esfand, and to sign the final and comprehensive agreement by June 31, 2020.