Irans Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi[/caption]Senior Iranian nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi tells Press TV that no progress has yet been achieved in trilateral talks between Iran, the US, and the EU over Tehrans nuclear energy program.
Speaking to Press TV correspondent on Monday, Araqchi said negotiations in the Omani capital, Muscat, were useful, however, no headway was made.
He said the sides are now working on solutions after months of talks on different subjects, adding that the Iranian side believes that negotiations in the past two days and discussions were very useful. But we are not still in a position to say that we have made progress. Its yet to be done in the coming days. We would be available as much as needed here in Oman or in any other places before the deadline of 24 of November. We are still hopeful.
The top negotiator noted that a lot of work has remained to be done and more expert-level and bilateral meetings were required.
Araqchi added that the process of striking a comprehensive deal on Irans nuclear energy program needs lots of goodwill by all parties and of course readiness to make difficult decisions.
On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, US Secretary of State John Kerry and EU negotiator, Catherine Ashton, wrapped up two days of discussions.
They were due to hold a joint press conference following the talks. However, it was canceled with no clear breakthrough in the discussions.
Araqchi further described the issue of uranium enrichment as a key question for the other side and the lifting of sanctions slapped on Iran as a very important key question for Tehran.
Referring to different aspects of sanctions, Araqchi said the sides have to find a solution about how and when these sanctions are removed.
Its a fact that based on a possible comprehensive solution all the sanctions should be lifted, he said, expressing hope that the negotiating sides could find a settlement to the issue of enrichment.
Iran would certainly continue its enrichment, but the question is the capacity of this enrichment which should be determined based on our practical needs and that would be something we are very hopeful to come to at the end of these negotiations.
The US State Department spokeswoman, meanwhile, said the talks were tough, direct and serious. Jen Psaki told reporters in Washington that the US remained focused on making progress, and there's still time to do so.
In response to a question about the political will on the part of the US to find a resolution to the dispute over Irans nuclear activities, Araqchi said that the other side, including Washington, apparently has enough seriousness and shows political will and determination.
We have seen political determination in all parties in P5+1, but how these political determination or political will is translated into those difficult decisions that the other side should make [is] yet to be seen.
The negotiations were aimed at facilitating a final deal over Iran's nuclear energy program before the November 24 deadline.
The extent of Irans uranium enrichment as well as a timetable for the removal of US and EU sanctions were high on the agenda of the Oman negotiations.
Representatives of Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council Russia, China, France, Britain and the US - plus Germany will hold further talks at deputy level on Tuesday.
By Press TV
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