The Fate of Iran's Nuclear Negotiations Reaches the Final Day

The fate of Iran's nuclear negotiations with global powers has reached the final day of the deadline, which is Tuesday, April 11. Iran, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, and Russia have until the end of this day to reach an agreement that would allow them to achieve a comprehensive and final agreement on the Islamic Republic's nuclear program by the end of June (July 10). John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, said in the late hours of Monday night, April 10, on CNN that there is a 'glimmer of light' but 'difficult issues' remain, and negotiations to resolve them will continue throughout the night and even into the early hours of Tuesday. The Itar-Tass news agency reported that Iran will also be present at these negotiations. The French news agency has also reported that Barack Obama, the President of the United States, defended the performance of his Secretary of State and his team in the Iranian nuclear case, stating, 'Let us never negotiate in fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.' Mr. Obama was kept informed of the details during the negotiations. Throughout the day, conflicting news and reports about the negotiations were published in Iranian and non-Iranian media, including the drafting of a 'political document,' which was denied by Abbas Araqchi, the Deputy Foreign Minister and the second member of Iran's negotiating team. Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, stated that the positions of Iran and the global powers have come significantly closer, and Marie Harf, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, also reported Washington's satisfaction that Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles would not be transferred to another country. Multiple bilateral and multilateral meetings of foreign ministers and negotiating teams from the P5+1 countries and Iran continued from Tuesday morning until the late hours of the night. Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Minister left Lausanne on Monday evening. Mr. Lavrov stated that he would return to the negotiations on Tuesday if a result was nearing. Marie Harf, the U.S. State Department spokesperson, also said, 'Now is the time for the Iranians to decide.' Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German Foreign Minister, stated that the main topic of the negotiations was Iran's 'ambitious requests,' which are unacceptable to Germany. He mentioned the Islamic Republic's request to continue its nuclear research and development programs as one of the obstacles to reaching an agreement. Reports indicate that Iran's nuclear negotiating team is also strongly emphasizing the lifting of sanctions. Inside Iran, Eshaq Jahangiri, the First Vice President of Iran, expressed hope on Monday morning that the 'unjust sanctions' against Iran would be lifted. Despite this, Mr. Jahangiri stated that 'the apparent atmosphere is such that we will definitely reach an agreement,' but added that 'even if we do not reach an agreement, we have anticipated how to manage the country and improve the lives of the people and the development of the country.'