The final round of nuclear talks with Iran has started in Vienna Tuesday with a comprehensive deal anticipated before 24 November.MOSCOW, November 18 (Sputnik)The negotiations onIrans nuclear programmme betweenthe Islamic Republic and six world powers have commenced inVienna Tuesday, inan attempt tostrike a deal beforethe self-imposed psychological deadline ofNovember 24.
Diplomatic representatives fromIran and the 5+1 group ofglobal powers, namely the US, Germany, the UK, France, China and Russia, have come together into Vienna forthe final roundof talks, inan attempt toconclude a comprehensive accord withTehran onits claimed peaceful nuclear program.
If the deal is reached, it will end one ofthe worst standoffs inworld politics ofthe early 21stcentury. It may also fan offthe mutual hostility and distrust betweenthe developed world and Iran, non-existent sincethe Islamic Revolution of1979.
The parties involved say the compromise deal is possible, however, hardliners inboth the US and Iran feel their respective negotiators should not give much.Distrust is the reason why the recent preliminary talks betweenUS Secretary ofState John Kerry, the EU diplomatic rep. Catherine Ashton and Irans FM Javad Zarif had failed, Voice ofAmericareports.
"There's still a big gap. We may not be able toget there," US President Barack Obama said last Sunday asquoted byAFP.
The final roundof nuclear talks will take place less thana week beforethe 24 November deadline, voluntarily self-imposed bythe parties involved, aftera preliminary deal was reached onthe same day in2013. Diplomats say the principal disagreements betweenthe partiesconcentrate aroundthe future scope ofIrans uranium enrichment and the timing ofthe reduction inanti-Iranian sanctions.
Iran wants tobe allowed toenrich more and have the sanctions lifted quicker, while the US assumes too much uranium will still potentially let Iran make a bomb and the sanctions should be lifted ata gradual pace, asTehran may use the sudden relief toimmediately buy a lot ofconventional weapons.
"They [Iran] want everything, all atonce and this is not realistic," a Western diplomat, participating inthe negotiations, told AFP.
The US delegates are optimistic though. Last week Secretary Kerry said these negotiations are "the best chance we've ever had toresolve this issue peacefully". And now, chief US negotiator Wendy Sherman says, it is "time tofinish the job", AFP reports.
If the accord is reached, both Obama and Iranian leader Khaminei will need toexpress their support and commitment forthe move tocalm hardliners, hawks and hotshots intheir respective nations. Meanwhile, the GOP-dominated Congress is considering new sanctions againstIran incase the deal does not occur beforeNovember 24. Either the interim deal will be extended once more or the diplomatic efforts will fail completely.
By Sputnik News
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