USA: John Kerry's Injury Will Not Slow Down Nuclear Negotiations with Iran

The U.S. State Department announced that Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to meet with the Iranian negotiating team by the end of June, which is the deadline for nuclear talks. This news follows Mr. Kerry's leg injury from a cycling accident in France and his transfer to the U.S. for hospitalization. Reuters reported on Monday, June 1, citing Josh Earnest, White House spokesman, that the U.S. government remains confident it can continue nuclear talks with Iran despite the incident involving its Secretary of State. Mr. Earnest added that while it is unclear how much Secretary Kerry will be able to participate in the upcoming negotiations, he will still maintain his 'key role' in these discussions. The last talks between the foreign ministers of Iran and the U.S. took place in Geneva, Switzerland. Meanwhile, Marie Harf, State Department spokeswoman, stated that Mr. Kerry is 'as committed to advancing negotiations as he was before the accident.' Iran, the U.S., the U.K., France, China, Russia, and Germany have set the end of June 2015 as their deadline for reaching a comprehensive and final agreement regarding Iran's nuclear program. In recent weeks, global powers and Iran have been engaged in efforts to resolve their differences regarding inspections of Iran's suspected military facilities, interviews with those involved in the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, and the timing and manner of lifting sanctions against Iran. John Kerry last met with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, on Saturday, June 1, in Geneva, Switzerland, aiming to resolve remaining disputes. Mr. Kerry had an accident the following day while cycling in France and was hospitalized.