Rome, Nov 13, IRNA – Italian deputy foreign minister expressed regret Wednesday that her country was not involved in nuclear talks with Iran, saying beyond doubt 5+1 Group is closer than ever before to reachng a nuclear agreement with Iran.


 Martha Dassu who is meanwhile the managing editor of Aspenia magazine added in an interview with an Italian state radio station that Italy’s absence in nuclear talks with Iran was due to a mistake made in the year 2003, adding, “That of course does not mean that Italy is a marginal world power.”

She added, “Iran recently reached an agreement with the IAEA on inspections of the Iranian nuclear sites and for reaching a final agreement we are looking forth to the upcoming November 20th talks.”

Secretary of State John Kerry, who has been piloting the US efforts to forge a deal with Iran, observed in Geneva that “Israel is far safer if you make certain that Iran cannot continue the (nuclear) program unchecked.” “Now, every day that we don’t have it (the deal), they’re continuing it.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif extended Kerry’s argument by pointing out that, “The result of sanctions against Iran has been 99,000 centrifuges for Iran.” Zarif was referring to the dramatic expansion of Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity during the period when Tehran has been swamped by a cascade of sanctions.

Back in Washington from his hectic diplomatic sojourn, Kerry has waded headlong into a battle with Congress, to rescue the endangered deal. On Wednesday, he is set to meet behind closed doors with members of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee to try and block the new sanctions. Also on the same day, Vice-President Joseph R. Biden and other senior officials will brief Senate Democratic leaders to build the administration’s case.

Though the sanctions, if passed, would take three to six months to enforce, administration officials are worried that such a move would activate hardliners in Tehran who are opposed to the deal, but are lying low, because Iran’s Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei is backing the deal. Besides, the US apprehends it would be much harder to forge consensus among the global powers, including Russia and China, after the new sanctions law is passed.

By IRNA

 

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