Iran urges world to find ‘common position’ for nuclear deal

Tehran: An Iranian nuclear negotiator urged world powers on Monday to find a “common position” to achieve a “balanced” final nuclear deal with the Islamic republic as a deadline for negotiations looms.

Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who is a senior member of Iran’s nuclear negotiating team, said Iran saw a lack of coordination among the six-nation group — the US, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany — at the latest round of talks. The US and Iran broke off nuclear negotiations in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Friday for consultations but they are to resume the make-or-break talks on Wednesday.

“I believe what is needed more than anything else is coordination among our opposite sides so they can come to a common viewpoint in the talks,” state-run satellite news channel Press TV quoted Araqchi as saying.

Araqchi made the comments as Israel, Iran’s arch enemy, sent envoys to France to prevent what the regime considers a “bad deal.” France has been more hawkish than the US at the negotiating table, reportedly demanding more stringent restrictions than other Western delegations.

Paris, which raised last-minute objections to an interim agreement reached with Iran in 2013, could threaten a deal again.

Both Iran and the US have reported substantial progress in the talks but also say gaps still remain. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday a final deal is possible and that “there is nothing that can’t be resolved.”

Iran and the six-nation group hope to reach a rough deal by the end of March and a final, permanent agreement by June 30.

The talks seek a permanent deal to cap Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for the easing of economic sanctions.