Advertisement

With a month to deadline, U.S. and Iranian leaders push for nuclear deal

Saturday's six-hour meeting is the first high level discussion on a proposed nuclear deal since both sides agreed to a framework on April 2.

By Doug G. Ware
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (left) and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif continued their negotiations toward a nuclear agreement on Saturday, May 30, 2015. An unnamed American official said both sides met for six hours and identified key issues that must be addressed before the June 30 deadline. File Photo: U.S. State Department
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (left) and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif continued their negotiations toward a nuclear agreement on Saturday, May 30, 2015. An unnamed American official said both sides met for six hours and identified key issues that must be addressed before the June 30 deadline. File Photo: U.S. State Department

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 30 (UPI) -- U.S. and Iranian negotiators met in Switzerland Saturday to try and work out differences standing in the way of their nuclear agreement, as the deadline is now just a month away.

Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met to continue working toward a deal Saturday. The two lead negotiators met for six hours in the first high-level discussions since a framework of a deal was agreed upon on April 2.

Advertisement

In the weeks since that time, however, multiple points of disagreement have been reported by news media -- leading some analysts to question whether a deal could be reached before the June 30 deadline.

Both sides are seeking an agreement that would restrict Tehran's nuclear program to peaceful research for a period of 10 years. In return, Western nations would lift economic sanctions that have hampered the Middle Eastern nation for years.

One American official reportedly said Saturday's talks were "intense at times, but very focused and very comprehensive."

Saturday's meet was viewed by many as the Obama administration's efforts to try and push toward a final accord.

Advertisement

A potential deal with Iran has caused plenty of controversy in recent weeks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has roundly condemned the possibility -- saying he believes an agreement will only embolden Tehran.

Also, there has been some question as to exactly what both sides agreed to in the framework, and whether there had been any misunderstandings.

Not long after a framework was agreed to, nearly 50 Republicans in Congress voiced their displeasure with the White House cutting them out of the deal-making process. In response, they penned an open letter to the Iranian government warning them that any deal without congressional approval could be scrapped once President Barack Obama leaves office in 2017.

Some analysts believe it may be unwise for U.S. leaders to negotiate against a deadline -- saying that may cause the Obama administration to make concessions they otherwise wouldn't agree to. Some also say Iran is famous for dragging out negotiations until the last minute to gain more concessions.

"It is a tall order for them to finish by the end of June, especially to get the technical annexes done in sufficient detail to avoid implementation problems," said Robert J. Einhorn, who served on the American delegation to the Iran talks until 2013. "The negotiators should take whatever time they need, even if it means working past June 30."

Advertisement

One senior National Security Council member who served under Obama said U.S. leaders should be prepared to negotiate through the summer.

An unnamed administration official said significant differences remain between the two sides, but Saturday's session made clear what issues need to be addressed and the urgency of working them out with four weeks left.

Latest Headlines