Iran cites concerns ahead of next round of nuclear negotiations

TEHRAN, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Iranian officials said they are hoping to resolve some differences in the eighth round of nuclear negotiations scheduled to begin next week in Vienna.

Progress has been slow, acknowledged Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham at a press conference on Wednesday, as both sides attempt to resolve what Iranian media described as "an unnecessary crisis."

Some delegates from the P5+1 countries -- the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council (Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States) plus Germany -- have placed "excessive demands" on Iran, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif asserted Monday.

Although it is unclear what those "excessive demands" are, U.S. officials have repeatedly pressed Iran for guarantees that its nuclear program will remain peaceful and not be used as a weapon. In July, as talks stalled, Kerry sought concrete assurances from Zarif, "not just to declare that they will not obtain a nuclear weapon, but to demonstrate in the actions they take beyond any reasonable doubt that any Iranian nuclear program, now and going forward, is exclusively for peaceful purposes."

Zarif added that Iran has submitted proposals to the group and it is now time for the other delegates to show their willingness to negotiate.