Zarif: The Outcome of Nuclear Negotiations is Still Uncertain

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, emphasized the existence of unresolved differences in the nuclear negotiations with six world powers and the efforts to find solutions for them, stating, "The outcome [of the negotiations] is still uncertain." At the same time, the German Foreign Minister also spoke of some disagreements and stressed the need to take advantage of the "unrepeatable opportunity" available to reach an agreement. The nuclear negotiations are continuing in the final days of a deadline that has been extended once from July 1 to July 16, between Iran and the six negotiating countries. On Sunday, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Russia, along with Federica Mogherini, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, traveled to Vienna, the capital of Austria, to join John Kerry and Mohammad Javad Zarif, the foreign ministers of the U.S. and Iran. According to reports, the foreign ministers of all six countries are expected to be present in Vienna. Mr. Kerry had previously stated that despite the existing progress in the talks, the current conditions are such that the negotiations could "take any outcome." Mr. Zarif also expressed similar sentiments in a brief opportunity among reporters, saying, "The result is still unknown; we are trying." Zarif stated that the outcome is still uncertain. On the other hand, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German Foreign Minister, said there is a "unique opportunity" to reach an agreement. He stated, "Now is the time to show courage and readiness for compromise, and I hope that especially Tehran will show this courage." The German Foreign Minister said that if the negotiations fail, "no one will win." According to the German news agency, a fruitless end to the negotiations this week would mean the end of the interim agreement between the parties; this could lead to Tehran returning to its previous activities and the re-imposition of current suspended sanctions.