Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday, after a new round of nuclear talks in Vienna, that an agreement could be reached in a short period of time if the US acts “fairly”.
Why it matters: Rouhani’s optimism comes as representatives of Iran and other world powers, including the US, are on the verge of drafting a plan to restore the 2015 nuclear deal.
“The talks in Vienna have progressed by about 60.70% and if the Americans act in the context of fairness, we will get results in a short time.”
– Hassan Rouhani during a meeting with political activists in Tehran
Driving the news: Senior diplomats from Iran, the EU, France, Germany, the UK, Russia and China met today in Vienna to assess the progress of two expert working groups.
- The groups have focused on the steps needed from the US to ease sanctions and from Iran for its nuclear program. The EU announced that a third group would now be formed to focus on the succession of those possible measures from the US and Iran.
- US envoy Rob Malley and his team did not attend the plenary session, but held indirect talks with the Iranians through EU representatives. They also met members of the other delegations in Vienna.
- Foreign ministry spokesman Ned Price said talks in Vienna this week were business-like and positive, but “there is still a long way to go. Most of the road is still in front of us. “
- Price said the US and Iran have a common goal of restoring the deal, but the US will not make any concessions without making sure Iran will comply in full again.
What’s next: Members of the various delegations are expected to return to their capitals for consultations and then return to Vienna for another round of talks next week, the EU said in a statement.