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Talks between Iran and six world powers aimed at agreeing to a lasting nuclear deal have resumed in Vienna.
The two sides hope to reach an agreement by July that trims Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for an end to sanctions choking Tehran’s economy.
Yesterday’s negotiations are the second in monthly meetings on a comprehensive deal.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohamad Javad Zarif is leading his country’s delegation, while EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton negotiates at least formally on behalf of the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany.
Iranian media said Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had cancelled a customary pre-talks dinner with Ashton on Monday evening. The official IRNA news agency quoted sources as saying it was because of Ashton’s “undiplomatic” behaviour, an apparent reference to her meeting Iranian human rights activists during her first visit to Tehran 10 days ago.
Iran has long denied accusations from the West and Israel that it has sought to develop the capability to produce atomic weapons under the cover of its declared civilian nuclear energy programme. —AP
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