Talks on long-term Iran nuclear deal to open in Vienna

23:14 abroad news No Comments

Iran says its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful means

Iran and six world powers are starting the first round of talks on a long-term agreement on Tehran's controversial nuclear programme.

The talks in Vienna aim to build on November's interim deal, in which Iran agreed to curb uranium enrichment in return for partial sanctions relief.
Ahead of the meeting, both Iran and the US downplayed hopes of a quick breakthrough.
The West suspects Iran of trying to build nuclear arms. Tehran denies this.

Iran nuclear deal - next steps

• 20 January - First day of implementation of interim nuclear deal. IAEA begins verifying Iranian compliance; P5+1 and EU suspend sanctions
• January/February - First meeting of joint commission formed by Iran, P5+1 and EU to monitor implementation and resolve concerns
• 19 April - Completion of dilution of Iran's 20% enriched uranium stockpile in hexafluoride form
• 19 July - Expiry of six-month interim period for finding "comprehensive solution". If not renewed by mutual consent, P5+1 may increase sanctions
• November - Iran and P5+1 aim to "conclude negotiating and commence implementing" the second step of any comprehensive solution

'No opposition'

The talks between Iran and Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the US are due to open at 11:00 (10:00 GMT) in the Austrian capital.

The West wants Iran to sharply scale back its sensitive nuclear activities to ensure that it cannot quickly assemble an atomic bomb.
But Tehran says its nuclear work is purely peaceful and will continue. It also wants an end to the sanctions that have battered its economy.
It took months of very hard bargaining for the two sides to agree to negotiate a final deal, the BBC's Bethany Bell in Vienna reports.
She adds that the talk will be a first test of that resolve.
On Monday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the Vienna talks "will not lead anywhere", in a statement posted on his website.
But he added: "What our officials started will continue. We will not renege. I have no opposition."
Meanwhile, a senior US administration official also acknowledged that it would be a "complicated, difficult and lengthy process", Reuters reports.
The two sides have until 19 July to find a comprehensive solution.