Iran and six major powers struggled yesterday to reach an initial nuclear accord as “gloom” set in , with both sides sticking to their positions a day before a self-imposed deadline.
For days Iran, the US, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China have been trying to break an impasse in negotiations aimed at stopping Tehran having the capacity to develop a nuclear bomb, in exchange for an easing of UN sanctions .
But officials at the talks in the Swiss city of Lausanne said attempts to reach a framework accord, which is intended as a prelude to a comprehensive agreement by the end of June, could yet fall apart. Negotiators from all parties appeared increasingly pessimistic.
“If we don’t have some type of framework agreement now, it will be difficult to explain why we would be able to have one by June 30,” said a Western diplomat. He said three major sticking points must be resolved if Iran and the six powers are to secure the deal before March 31.
The diplomat said the most difficult issues related to the duration of any limits on Iranian uranium enrichment and research and development activities after an initial 10 years, the lifting of the sanctions and the restoring of them in case of non-compliance by Iran.
“It seems that we have an accord for the first 10 years, but with regard to the Iranians the question of what happens after is complicated,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
Iran still demands to continue with research into newer generation of advanced centrifuges
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said there had been “some progress and some setbacks in the last hours”.
Highlighting the general mood, a diplomat quoted by Chinese news agency Xinhua said the atmosphere yesterday had turned from “optimism” to “gloom” among negotiators.
An adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, criticised the powers: “Our negotiating team are trustworthy and compassionate officials that are working hard, but they should be careful with the enemies’ deceptive and skillful tactics,” the adviser, Ali Akbar Velayati, told Fars news agency.
Western officials said the talks were now likely to run until the deadline of midnight today or beyond.
The six powers want more than a 10-year suspension of Iran’s most sensitive nuclear work. Tehran demands a swift end to sanctions in exchange for limits on its atomic activities. One sticking point concerns Iran’s demand to continue with research into newer generations of advanced centrifuges.
These can purify uranium faster and in greater quantities than those it currently operates for use in nuclear power plants or – if very highly enriched – in weapons.