Rouhani postposes trip to Paris, Zarif will attend Vienna talks

According to AFP:

Hassan Rouhani on Saturday postponed what would have been the first visit to Europe by an Iranian president in 10 years after attacks in Paris that he described as "crimes against humanity."

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who had been due to travel with Rouhani, told state television he would now instead head Iran's delegation to international talks on the Syrian conflict in Vienna.

[…]

Rouhani sent a message of condolence to French counterpart Francois Hollande on the shootings and bombings in Paris that left more than 120 people dead, Iran's official IRNA news agency reported.

"In the name of the Iranian people, who have themselves been victims of terrorism, I strongly condemn these crimes against humanity and offer my condolences to the grieving French people and government," Rouhani said.

Zarif said the Paris attacks made the Vienna talks all the more important as world governments needed to work together to fight against the Islamic State group and other extremists.

"We must use the opportunity presented by these crimes to coordinate internationally," he said.

"The Paris events show once again that terrorism and extremism are an international threat and that international cooperation is necessary to fight this phenomenon."

COMMENTARY: Beirut was bombed two days ago, Paris yesterday and Baghdad today.

This writer stated at the onset of the 2014 Northern Iraq Offensive carried out by ISIL that regional rivalries between the United States and Iran should be set aside, with priority given towards the defeat of ISIL. This writer also pointed out the danger to Europe and particularly France, to Salafi Jihadist terror. Unfortunately the rivalry went on unabated and the terror strikes materialized.

The Russians and Iranians are currently engaged in an effective military campaign against armed Salafi Jihadists in Syria. It is hoped the parallel tracks of the U.S.-led coalition against ISIL can be made unified with that of the Russo-Iranian-Syrian-Iraqi-Lebanese alliance. That way forward offers the best prospect of defeating this threat, while the parallel track approach has proven highly inefficient.

The United States and Russia have reportedly exchanged preliminary lists of what they regard as terrorist groups in Syria. That's a positive step that should be built upon.

Iran, World Powers Reach Landmark Nuclear Deal

Iran and six major world powers reached a historic nuclear deal on Tuesday.

To read the text of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), please click here.

Nuclear Deal Imminent

Rouhani: 'I have fulfilled my election promise to solve the nuclear issue'

Negotiators at the Iran nuclear talks are putting the finishing touches to a sweeping agreement that is expected to be announced on Monday.

Iranian President Rouhani, Sunday night at Iftar: “I have fulfilled my election promise to solve the nuclear issue.” (Twitter/@SharqDaily/@dudi_Cohen)

French Foreign Minister: J'espère que nous arrivons enfin dans la dernière phase de ces négos marathon. Je le crois." I hope we are finally arriving at the last phase of these marathon negotiations. I believe so.

Kerry: “I think we are getting to some real decision.” He made the remarks after talks with Iranian FM Javad Zarif over the weekend. “So I will say, because we have a few tough things to do, I remain hopeful. Hopeful.”

Awaiting the return of ministers for critical Sunday night talks to decide if the deal is possible by Monday.

Nuclear Talks: Struggle to Overcome Deadlock

Iran and P5+1 struggled on Saturday to break a deadlock in nuclear talks. They have given themselves until Monday to reach an agreement, their third extension in two weeks.

A UN Security Council resolution, passed in 2006, imposing embargo and ban on Iran’s ballistic missiles program and arms import is among the biggest remaining sticking points, Al-Monitor’s Ali Hashem reported today. Iran wants the ban lifted immediately if an agreement is reached, even though other restrictions, like enrichment capacity, stay in place for a decade or more.

Russia, which sells arms to Iran, has publicly supported the Iranian position, but Reuters quoted a senior Western official earlier in the week as saying that the six major powers remain united over the issue, despite Moscow’s and Beijing’s well-known dislike of embargoes.

Other problematic issues in the talks are reportedly access for inspectors to military sites in Iran, answers from Tehran over past activity suspected to have been related to research on nuclear weapons, and the overall speed of sanctions relief. (Al-Monitor, 11 July)

White House: ‘We’ve Never Been Closer to Agreement with Iran’

The White House said today that the United States and its partners have “never been closer” to an agreement with Iran on its nuclear program, but U.S. negotiators should come home if Tehran is unwilling to resolve sticking points.

“The president has indicated to his negotiating team that they should remain in Vienna and they should continue to negotiate as long as the talks continue to be useful,” said White House spokesman Josh Earnest at a news briefing on Friday. (Reuters, 10 July)

“And if it becomes clear that Iran is not interested in engaging in a constructive way to try to resolve the remaining sticking points, then the negotiators should come home,” Earnest added.

IAEA inspection of sensitive sites suspected of work on nuclear weapons and the issue of possible military dimensions (PMD) of Iran’s nuclear program and an early end to UN arms embargo on Iran are reportedly among those sticking points.

Senior U.S. officials involved with the talks, including Secretary of State John Kerry, continue saying that significant progress has been made but tough issues remain. Maybe yes, maybe not!

Nuclear Talks Extended

UPDATE: JPOA Extended Until 13 July

"We will not be rushed," said Secretary of State John Kerry.

Iran Offers New Proposals, West Unimpressed

‘No Flexibility Regarding Our Red Lines’ – Iranian Diplomat

Iran has offered what it termed as “constructive solutions” to resolve disputes in nuclear talks, ISNA quoted an Iranian diplomat involved in the talks. But Western officials suggested they had heard nothing new from Tehran.

“Iran has presented constructive solutions to overcome the remaining differences. We will not show flexibility regarding our red lines,” the unnamed Iranian diplomat told Iran’s semi-official news agency ISNA. (ISNA/Reuters, 8 July)

The biggest sticking points reportedly include the speed of sanctions relief, R&D on advanced centrifuges, and the current UN Security Council resolutions on arms embargo against Iran and the country’s ballistic missile program.

“I have not seen anything new from Iran (on the remaining differences,” a Western diplomat close to the talks today told Reuters. Another Western country echoed the remarks.

A senior U.S. official told reporters late on Tuesday that negotiations were approaching a moment of truth.

“I believe we will in the near-term either get the deal or find out we can’t,” the U.S. official said. (Reuters, 8 July)

Nuclear Talks Extended

UPDATE - An Iranian negotiator: We will negotiate as long as it is needed. If we don't reach a deal, there is no plan B. (Twitter/@lrozen)

Iran nuclear talks and JPOA measures are once again extended at least until 10 July to allow negotiations to continue in Vienna. Tuesday was the self-imposed deadline for the talks.

Kerry: No Deal Yet – Could Go Either Way

Secretary of State John Kerry delivered an update on Iran nuclear negotiations today, saying the two sides have never been closer to a deal, but cautioning that the talks could still go either way, with difficult decisions remaining.

“It’s time to see if we can close a deal,” Kerry told journalists covering the talks in Vienna. “We are not where we need to be on several of most important issues.”

Kerry cautioned that the U.S. could still walk away from the talks if a deal could not be reached. He added the 7 July remains the deadline for the talks.

Photo credit: Secretary of State John Kerry delivered an update on Iran nuclear talks; Vienna, 5 July 2015 (Omid Vahabzadeh/Fars News Agency)

Iran Deal Seen Imminent - Report

Reporters covering Iran nuclear talks in Vienna say a final deal looks imminent. The breakthrough came during Thursday’s visit by the IAEA chief Yukiya Amano to Tehran and his meeting with President Hassan Rouhani to resolve the possible military dimensions (PMD) issue. Amano told reporters after his return to Vienna that with Iran’s cooperation, his agency could issue a report on PMD by the year’s end, one of the parameters required by P5+1 for sanctions relief.

The foreign ministers from China, France, Germany, Russia and the U.K. will be returning to Vienna Sunday afternoon to join Kerry and Zarif in an attempt to finalize an agreement by Tuesday’s deadline. Two Western officials told Bloomberg that the impending agreement could be announced as early as Monday.

Iran Talks Vienna: Updates

Saturday 4 July 2015

IAEA Amano told journalist that with cooperation of Iran, his agency can issue a report on PMD by the end of the year. A key open issue seems close to resolution, one of the parameters required by P5+1 for sanctions relief. Adding momentum to a final deal in coming days.

AP reports that world powers and Iran have reached a tentative agreement at expert level on sanctions relief. An annex to the final agreement, one of five meant to accompany it, outlines which sanctions will be lifted and how quickly. Sanctions relief is probably the thorniest disagreement between the two sides, and its resolution is a major step toward reaching the final accord.

An Iranian journalist at the talks reports that Iran and P5+1 have reached an agreement over sanctions snapback in case of non-compliance by Iran. 

Al-Monitor’s Laura Rozen reports that there are signs that political agreement on some outstanding issues was reached in the past day.

Source: Twitter accounts of @lrozen and other journalists concerning Iran talks and reports by news agencies.

Amano: Better Understanding, More Work - Update

IAEA General Secretary Yukiya Amano said in statement released by the IAEA that the purpose of his visit to Iran on Thursday was to “advance work toward the resolution of all outstanding issues regarding Iran’s nuclear program, including clarification of possible military dimensions (PMD).”

Amano added that the two sides now “have a better understanding on some ways forward, though more work will be needed.”

Amano's statement cautiously confirms an earlier report by Bloomberg that 
quoted a senior Iranian officials as saying Iran had agreed to sign the IAEA's Additional Protocol as part of a nuclear deal, allowing managed inspection of sensitive sites and questioning of nuclear officials. The PMD report is a key parameter for lifting of sanction, and Amano's visit to Tehran and his meetings with President Rouhani and Adm. Shamkhani could be the breakthrough needed to strike a final deal.

Iran to Sign Additional Protocol As Part of Nuclear Deal – Report

Allowing Managed Access to Sensitive Sites and Questioning of Nuclear Officials

Iran said under a nuclear deal it will recognize the right of IAEA inspectors to managed visits to sensitive sites, including military bases, and questioning of nuclear officials, a senior Iranian negotiator told reporters in Vienna. (Bloomberg, 2 July)

The Iranian move is a major interpretation of what IAEA’s Additional Protocol would allow, and came after the visit of the IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano to Iran and meetings with President Hassan Rouhani and Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Admiral Ali Shamkhani. The Iranian diplomat’s comments today suggest that the two sides may have bridged the gap in the so-called Possible Military Dimension (PMD) investigation of Iran’s nuclear program, which would be a major step to seal a final deal in Vienna by 7 July.

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in Vienna today that 90 percent of the deal is agreed and there is “a total commitment of all participants to end this process in the next few days.”

Iran Talks Vienna: Updates

IAEA's Amano Meets President Rouhani in Tehran

French FM Fabius said some ministers will leave today but will return to Vienna on Sunday to "finalize the final deal." This is the most upbeat assessment of the talks. 

Reports from Tehran after Amano meetings indicate that Iran will accept managed access to individual nuclear scientists as well as military sites under the Additional Protocol. This will resolve the contentious issue of PMD, and a major step in sealing a final deal.

Iran atomic chief Salehi and Secretary of Energy Moniz and their aides had a meeting from 3 to 6 PM. They joined Kerry and Zarif at 6 PM. The meeting ended at 7:30 PM (1:30 PM EST)

IAEA Chief Amano meets President Rouhani in Tehran. PMD and Parchin inspection expected to be the topics of discussion.

Chinese FM Wang Li has arrived in Vienna, telling reporters there is “high possibility” of reaching a deal by 7 July. “Hope we’ll have consensus,” he said.

EU’s Federica Mogherini said, “We are moving forward, but we are not yet there. Amano’s trip to Tehran is very important.” She added that some political issues are still open the ministers will be checking today.

Iranian reporters quoted Admiral Shamkhani as saying, “We are ready to solve all remaining issues with close cooperation with IAEA.” He made those comments during a meeting with Amano in Tehran.

French FM Laurent Fabius said, “We’ve had some progress in some issues, but there are still differences on some other issues.”

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said despite signs of narrowing differences, no breakthroughs yet.

P5+1 FMs will leave Vienna today, not clear when they will return, Iran’s DFM Ravanchi said," UK’s Hammond said. "You’re going to see over the next few days ministers coming and going to maintain the momentum of these discussions.”

Sources: Twitter accounts of Al-Monitor's @lrozen and other reporters covering Iran Talks Vienna.

Photo credit: President Rouhani's Instagram @HassanRouhani 

Iran Talks Extended Until 7 July

Iran Talks Updates

P5+1 and Iran have decided to extend JPOA measures until 7 July to allow more time for negotiations to reach a long term solution, said Marie Harf, U.S. State Department spokeswoman. Ministers are expected to leave Vienna on Wednesday morning. Next ministerial meeting will probably be held on 5 July.  

President Obama said he was hoping to reach a deal with Iran, but questioned whether Iran will agree to the outlines of the framework agreement reached in Lausanne, given recent statements out of Tehran (Ayatollah Khamenei's redlines). "Ultimately this is going to be up to the Iranians," Obama added.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani vows forceful return to "previous path," much sooner than "the other side could even imagine," if a nuclear agreement is violated. He did not make it clear if he believes there will be a final deal to begin with.

Secretary Kerry and Russian FM Lavrov hold a two-hour bilat meeting. Lavrov said after the meeting that progress has been made and discussions on some "procedural" issues will continue. He later said the deal is "within reach."

Atomic Organization chief Ali Akbar Salehi and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz meet one-on-one.

After 2 hours of one-on-one between Kerry and Zarif, there was a U.S.-Iran bilat including Kerry, Zarif, Salehi, Moniz, Fereydoun, Sherman.

Kerry and Zarif met one-on-one after the Iranian FM came back from consultations in Tehran with Khamenei and Rouhani. The meeting lasted 1 3/4 hours. Kerry said they had "good conversations." Zarif said he was in Vienna to get a final deal; "And I think we can," he added.

Iran's Foreign Minister Zarif returns to Vienna, along with Atomic Organization chief Ali Akbar Salehi and Hossein Fereydoun, President Rouhani’s brother and confidant.

Russian FM Sergey Lavrov and German FM Frank-Walter Steinmeier will arrive in Vienna on Tuesday to join Secretary John Kerry and French FM Laurent Fabius.

Deadline for the talks is midnight. Expected to be missed, with talks continuing for few more days.

Source: Twitter accounts of @lrozen and other reporters covering Iran Talks Vienna.

Iran nuclear talks at Vienna, in photos

Iran media imagery of nuclear talks with P5+1 currently being held in Vienna, Austria:

United States negotiation team on left led by Secretary of State John Kerry, Iran negotiation team on right led by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Secretary of State John Kerry and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, one-on-one


Wendy Sherman, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs

Marie Elizabeth Harf, Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the U.S. State Department.

China‘s Deputy Foreign Minister Li Baodong with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

People's Republic of China negotiating team led by Deputy Foreign Minister Li Baodong

European Union negotiating team on left, led by EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini

Federica Mogherini, European Union Foreign Policy Chief 

French negotiation team on left, led by Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius

German negotiation team on left, led by Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier

Philip Hammond, UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

Yukiya Amano, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Note: The P5+1 is often referred to as the E3+3 (or E3/EU+3) by European countries, which is also the nomenclature used in the text of agreements with Iran. [source: Wikipedia]

Photos: Siamak Ebrahimi at Tasnim News Agency, Omid Vahabzadeh at Fars News Agency

Iran Vienna Talks: Sunday 28 June

Zarif Going to Tehran for Consultation

Zarif will be going to Tehran Sunday night for consultations with the Khamenei and Rouhani. He will be back in Vienna on Tuesday. It appears the two sides are probably getting close to signing a formal agreement on areas of common understanding, deferring the remaining issues to a new phase of negotiations later. No agreement at all seems not to be an option for either side.

Iran will accept IAEA verification before any lifting of sanctions, diplomats say.

Kerry and Zarif met again today at 6:03 PM; the meeting ended at 6:50 PM. Zarif heading to the airport to go to Tehran for consultation. Kerry will stay in Vienna.

P5+1/EU meeting begins at 2:16 PM.

Kerry-Moghirini  meeting began at 12:22 PM.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Moghirini arrives in Vienna, saying talks are tough but there is a political will for the deal. Moghirini adds that Iran talks are a matter of international security, derived from UN Security Council resolutions.

Zarif to meet British FM at 15:30; Chinese DFM on 16:30; German FM at 17:00.

Chinese DFM says he is happy to see political will on all sides. Talks essential to world peace, he adds.

Kerry-Zarif meeting ends at noon.

German FM: If no deal, all will lose. Iran would remain isolated, and new arms race in an already troubled region could be the result.

The second day of Iran Talks begins in Vienna with a meeting between Secretary of State John Kerry and the Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and their teams. The meeting started at 10:00.

Sources: Twitter accounts of reporters covering Iran Talks in Vienna