Crucial
talks are underway in Moscow to try to break the long-running stalemate
over Iran’s nuclear programme.Meetings of the P5+1 (the five permanent
members of the UN Security Council and Germany) on the Iranian nuclear
issue are becoming a monthly occurrence. The next meeting will be held
in Moscow in mid-June. The last two meetings – in Istanbul in April and
in Baghdad last week in May – did not produce any results. The reason
for this can be found in the changes in the political situation in Iran
that occurred in late March.
Tehran is meeting the group of six world powers as Europe and the US
prepare to slap their toughest sanctions to date on the Islamic
republic.
Israel is calling on its allies to threaten Iran convincingly with
military action during the current talks in Moscow, media reports say.
Tel Aviv believes Tehran does not take the threat of war seriously yet.
The current Moscow round of talks between Iran and the Group 5+1
over Iran’s nuclear ambitions is unlikely to end in the signing of a
final agreement, an Iranian negotiator said on Monday.
The Moscow
talks, including the five permanent UN Security Council members plus
Germany (5+1) commenced on Monday and are expected to last until
Tuesday. Iran’s team of negotiators is headed by Supreme National
Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Saeed Jalili, while EU foreign policy
Chief, Catherine Ashton, heads up the Group 5+1 delegation.
“As of
right now the chances of making progress in Moscow are very small,
minimal,” the Iranian delegate said, adding Iran has no reason to alter
its position.
“We have our principles. If the Group of Six accepts our proposals we will be ready to accept theirs.”
His view was echoed by an EU spokesman.
“In terms of any adjustments, no, what is on the table is what was put
on the table in Baghdad,” said Michael Mann, spokesman for the European
Union’s top foreign policy official, Catherine Ashton. “It’s in black
and white on paper, and it’s there for all to see, so we’re hoping they
can take it point by point.”
He described the atmosphere at the talks as “businesslike” adding that they are due to last until evening.
Iran may agree to a new round of talks if progress is made in Moscow, a member of the Iranian delegation said.
