Iran, world powers push for Tuesday nuclear deal
Updated: 2015-07-14 07:11
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||||
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks to journalists in front of the Palais Coburg hotel, the venue for nuclear talks in Vienna, Austria, July 13, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua] |
OIL PRICES FALL
Oil markets appeared to be expecting a deal soon as benchmark Brent crude futures fell about 1.5 percent on the prospect that sanctions would soon be lifted, allowing Iran to expand oil sales into an already oversupplied market.
Diplomats said there were contingency plans for an announcement ceremony in the event of a deal, which would open the door to ending sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy, in exchange for at least a decade of curbs on its nuclear programme.
The Western powers in particular suspect Iran may have sought to use its civil nuclear programme as a cover to develop a nuclear weapons capability. Iran says the programme is solely for peaceful purposes.
If no agreement is clinched by midnight, the powers will need to extend the terms of an interim nuclear deal that has already been extended three times in two weeks.
Both the Americans and Iranians have said they are willing to walk away and they could also suspend the talks for a few weeks or months, though Iran has said it opposes this and Earnest said he was not aware of any plans for a break.
Among the biggest sticking points in the past week has been Iran's insistence that a United Nations Security Council arms embargo and ban on its ballistic missile programme dating from 2006 be lifted immediately if an agreement is reached.
Russia, which sells weapons to Iran, has publicly supported Tehran on the issue.
"99 PERCENT FINISHED"
Other problematic issues include access for inspectors to military sites in Iran, explanations from Tehran of past activity that might have been aimed at developing a nuclear weapon and the overall speed of sanctions relief.
Iran's Fars news agency reported that Iran was pushing for the draft UN Security Council resolution under discussion as part of the deal to explicitly state that Tehran's nuclear programme is legal.
"The parts of the deal are there," said a senior official from one of the six countries. "We still need to put the finishing touches together. All sides have to decide now. It's time to say 'Yes'."
A senior Iranian official said 99 percent of the issues had been resolved, adding: "With political will, we can finish the work late tonight and announce it tomorrow."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's point-man on the Iranian talks, Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz, told Israel's Army Radio he was expecting an agreement on Monday or Tuesday. He reiterated Israel's opposition to the deal.
"What is being drafted, even if we managed to slightly improve it over the past year, is a bad agreement, full of loopholes," he said. "If we call it by its true name, they are selling the world's future for a questionable diplomatic achievement in the present."
Comments from both Republican and Democratic senators on Sunday suggested that any final deal would also face tough scrutiny in the US Congress.
Related Stories
Chinese FM urges no further delay of Iran nuclear talks 2015-07-13 21:00
Iran nuclear negotiations shouldn't be further delayed: Chinese FM 2015-07-13 19:53
Iran nuclear deal expected Monday 2015-07-13 11:03
No Iran nuclear deal made, no extension of talks 2015-07-13 09:14
Iran urges US to seize time for nuclear deal: official 2015-07-12 19:03
Disagreements surface as Iran nuclear talks near end 2015-07-11 07:47
Today's Top News
China, Eurasian Economic Union to launch EPA talks: official
Agreement on Greece debt deal reached
Police evacuate 18 in Paris suburb store hold-up
China sees exports increase 2% in June, imports decline
Comedian's spoofs of Mulan stir debate
Lawyers held for 'trying to influence verdicts'
Top court official under inquiry for graft
Illegal immigrants are not refugees: Opinion
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
President Xi attends BRICS, SCO summits |
Anniversary of victory over Japan marked |
Premier Li's visit to Belgium and France |
What do we know about AIIB |
Full coverage of Boao Forum for Asia |
Annual legislative and political advisory sessions |