Progress made in nuke talks, but deal not a sure thing, Kerry says

Difficult issues still left to resolve, US secretary of state warns as negotiations approach Tuesday’s deadline

By ToI Staff and AP 5 July 2015, 6:29 pm

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US Secretary of State John Kerry informs the media in front of Palais Coburg where closed-door nuclear talks with Iran take place in Vienna, Austria, Sunday, July 5, 2015. (AP/Ronald Zak)

With nuclear talks in Vienna nearing Tuesday’s new deadline, US Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday said “genuine progress” had been made in recent days, but that disagreements over key issues remained and could quash the emerging the deal.

Speaking outside the Coburg Palace in the Austrian capital, Kerry warned that the talks could still go either way.

Negotiations between world powers and Iran “are not yet where we need to be on several of the most difficult issues,” Kerry said.

“While I agree with [Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad] Zarif that we have never been closer, these negotiations could go either way,” he said. “We have difficult issues still to resolve.”

Kerry spoke before foreign ministers from Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China were expected to join him and Zarif in Vienna to nail down the pact by a Tuesday deadline, after years of intensive negotiations.

“If hard choices are made, we could get an agreement this week. We’re aiming to [close the agreement] in the time frame we set out [by Tuesday evening],” he added.

Kerry reiterated that the US was not willing to make major compromises on key issues just for the sake of reaching an agreement, and that it was willing to walk away without making a deal, though he said that was not what “anybody wants.”

“But we don’t want any agreement — we want a good agreement — and we’re not going to shave at the margins to just get any agreement,” he said.

Kerry and Zarif met several times on Sunday, including right before the meeting.

World powers and Iran are hoping to clinch a deal imposing a decade of restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program and granting Iran significant relief from international sanctions. Top diplomats from five other negotiating countries are expected to start returning to Austria’s capital later Sunday.

Talks are making progress. Diplomats Saturday reported tentative agreement on the speed and scope of sanctions relief. Outstanding issues include inspection guidelines and rules governing nuclear research and development.