Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the European Unions Catherine Ashton led the two delegations in the 40-minute morning plenary session, with the two sides also meeting in the afternoon.The Vienna discussions are expected only to set the agenda and framework for further rounds of talks. Issues include the final level of centrifuges for Irans uranium enrichment, the status and inspectionsof facilities such as the Fordoo enrichment plant and the Arak heavy-water reactor, and the lifting of US-led sanctions on Tehran.
The Vienna discussions are expected only to set the agenda and framework for further rounds of talks.
In November, the two sides signed an interim agreement which came into effect on January 20. Iran has suspended enrichment of uranium to 20%, diluting its existing stock to 5% or converting it to oxide powder, while limited easing of sanctions has begun. Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency have also had a series of discussions and inspections in the last three months.
In the absence of firm news on Tuesdays discussions, Iranian State media is featuringcautious remarks by Zarifabout a great deal of concern in Iran about whether the US is serious about wanting to reach an agreement:
Unfortunately what we have seen in the last two months has not encouraged us to believe that everything is in order.
I can understand the politics in the United States but from the general perspective of the Iranian populace, what has happened in the last two months has been less than encouraging.
Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reiterated thatthe 5+1 Powers cannot demanda halt to Tehrans enrichment of uranium or try to discuss matters such as Irans missiles, Dismantlement of Irans nuclear sites is not on the agenda.We emphasized that the yardstick for talks will be the joint plan of action and no issue outside the framework of this program can be on the agenda of the negotiations.
Government Fires Head of Tehran University
Higher Education Minister Reza Faraji Danahas dismissedthe Chancellor of the University of Tehran, Farhad Rahbar.
The move was expected Rahbar, who assumed his post in 2008, is seen as an ally of former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The step is likely to provoke criticism from hard-line opponents of the Government.
Faraji Dana appointed Mohammad Hossein Omid, the head of the College of Agrigulture and Natural Resources, as the new Chancellor.
Head of Revolutionary Guards We Will Hit Enemies From Within Their Borders If They Attack
As nuclear talks opened in Vienna, the head of the Revolutionary Guardscontinued recent warningsto the US and other countries.
Mohammad Ali Jafari said to Iranian cadets on Tuesday:
The enemy is afraid of massive and long-term ground attack on Iran.
Their desired military option includes missile and air attack on sensitive and nuclear sites, but they themselves know that we will not leave them alone after such an act and will threaten them from inside (their borders).
By Ea World View
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