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November 10, 2014

U.S., Iran Begin New Talks on Nuclear Deal Ahead of Deadline 
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The United States and Iran have opened a new round of talks ahead of the
deadline for reaching a nuclear agreement two weeks from today. A
long-term deal would allow Iranian uranium enrichment and relief from
U.S.-led sanctions in return for extensive international inspections. On
Sunday, Secretary of State John Kerry met with Iranian counterpart
Mohammad Javad Zarif in Oman. Zarif said easing the sanctions remains a
critical issue.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif: "But I think the most
important issues that need to be addressed are enrichment and sanctions.
It is important for the West to understand that sanctions have never
contributed to the resolution of this issue. Sanctions are not a part of
solution. Sanctions are the most important part of the problem. They're
illegal in nature. They must be removed. They have not produced any
positive result. The only thing that sanctions have produced for the
West are about 19,000 centrifuges."

Speaking to CBS News on Sunday, President Obama said there is still a
"big gap" between the two sides and that a deal may not be within reach.
It emerged last week Obama wrote a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei outlining a mutual interest in opposing the
Islamic State and coming to terms on a nuclear deal.

 

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