Mediaboss Marketing

Attempts to end the decade-long conflict over Irans nuclear work remained mired over disagreements after another round of high-level negotiations in Vienna failed to make headway.

Lower-level talks continued today in the Austrian capital between Iran and six world powers, European Union spokesman Michael Mann said in a written statement. Yesterdays six-hour round of talks between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the EU foreign-policy chief, Catherine Ashton, produced no breakthrough.

Technical experts will convene again within two weeks, and another round is planned with Kerry and Ashton before the end of next month, Zarif said, without identifying where the talks would continue, according to the official Islamic Republic News Agency. Technical solutions to resolve some disputes gained traction, according to a U.S. official who asked not to be named in line with diplomatic rules.

Iranian diplomats and former U.S. officials have said an extension of the talks may be warranted if the sides cant bridge their gaps before a self-imposed Nov. 24 deadline. Irans deputy foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said before this round began that the deadline definitely wont be reached without progress this week in Vienna.

The interim agreement currently in place gave Iran limited relief from economic sanctions in exchange for caps on uranium enrichment. Iran has eliminated the stockpile of its most sensitive nuclear material and its economy has returned to growth. International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors have received wider access to Iranian nuclear facilities as they seek to ensure the country doesnt divert material that could be used for weapons.

Kerry said Oct. 14 in Paris that the November deadline isnt out of reach. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after meeting in Paris with Kerry and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius that a compromise can be achieved for a deal, though theres no guarantee it would be reached by next month.

The dispute has cast the specter of military conflict over Iran, home to the worlds fourth-largest oil reserves. Israel has said its prepared to strike Iran to prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons. Iran has repeatedly said it doesnt want a bomb and international monitors have confirmed its declared stockpiles of nuclear material remain in peaceful uses.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jonathan Tirone in Vienna at jtirone@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alan Crawford at acrawford6@bloomberg.net Eddie Buckle, Fergal OBrien

Press spacebar to pause and continue. Press esc to stop.

Originally posted here:
Iran Nuclear Talks Bogged Down After Kerry Departure