Iran: ‘Substantial differences’ remain in Vienna

Diplomats familiar with the talks say uranium enrichment is the main bone of contention between the parties

By AP 9 July 2014, 4:27 pm

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A meeting at the P5+1 talks with Iran at UN headquarters in Vienna, on July 3, 2014 (photo credit: AFP/Joe Klamar)

VIENNA — An Iranian official on Wednesday said that while some progress is being made at nuclear talks with six world powers ahead of a July 20 target date for a deal, “substantial differences” remain.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Marzieh Afkham spoke as negotiators worked on a draft agreement meant to curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for an end to sanctions.

Diplomats familiar with the closed-door talks say the main problem remains uranium enrichment, which can make both reactor fuel and the core of a nuclear weapon.

Iran denies wanting nuclear arms but insists on having either 50,000 enriching centrifuges, or fewer but more advanced machines with the same total output. The US wants to a much smaller program.

Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany are also at the Vienna talks.