Iran: Other side changing demands, making nuke talks tough

The Cabinet secretaries and other USA negotiators have spent the last two weeks cloistered in the Austrian capital, fueled not only by their desire to reach an elusive nuclear accord, but also an impressive supply of snacks: 10 pounds of Twizzlers, 20 pounds of string cheese, 30 pounds of mixed nuts and dried fruit, and more than 200 Rice Krispies treats. “We’re here because we believe we are making real progress toward a comprehensive deal”, he said.

“The stakes are very, very high, we will not rush and we will not be rushed”, Kerry vowed, even though the US Congress is now set to get 60 days instead of 30 to review any deal.

“We’re working hard, but not rushed to get the job done”, he said.

Our reporter Reihaneh Mazaheri was in Vienna. It’s a test for decades.

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“On one main issue, a Western minister looked at [Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad] Zarif and said he would be withdrawing”.

“This is not open-ended”.

“Some progress has been made but we are not there yet…”

Mr Kerry said he was prepared to “call an end” to the talks if “tough decisions” were not made.

The emerging deal between Iran and the P5+1 group – Britain, China, France, Germany, Russian Federation and the United States – is aimed at ending a 13-year standoff by curbing Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

“We’ve been seeing changes of positions, particularly since last night”, the diplomat said.

Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter said Thursday that the United States would have to defend itself against a nuclear Iran, but he said that a good deal with the country on its nuclear program would ensure stability. “We can’t wait forever”, he said.

The Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (Public Law 114-17), authored by Corker, prevents the president from waiving or suspending congressional sanctions before Congress has the chance to vote on an agreement, if one is reached.

Iran has provided backing to several parties involved in conflicts in the Middle East, including Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Syria and Yemen.

Russia, which hopes to sell arms to Iran, has come out in support of lifting the arms embargo, but under the framework agreement settled three months ago, the arms embargo would stay in place.

Wang Yi is now in Ufa, Russia, attending the ongoing summits of the BRICS nations. “It’s already there. It’s a matter of yes or no”, European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told CNN on Thursday. After all, Iran needs the deal far more than the United States does.

“While the Iranian team is showing flexibility, the Americans are refusing to accept Iran’s obvious right, particularly on sanctions“, Fars quoted the source as saying.

Republican Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Thursday he did not see the continuation of Iran nuclear talks as a problem for USA lawmakers.

There remains no end in sight for the talks on Friday, despite Washington warning that it was prepared to walk away.

VIENNA- On the eve of the latest in a string of deadlines for the conclusion of talks on Iran’s nuclear program, a resolution seemed to be just out of reach of negotiators.