Iran talks sitrep: drafting underway, but progress slow
Negotiators from Iran and six world powers agreed on the title of the final nuclear accord, but progress beyond that was said to be limited as differences over centrifuges and sanctions relief remain.
Vienna — Drafting of the final Iran nuclear accord officially got underway here today (June 18), but progress on the text was limited and many substantial differences remain, negotiators from Iran and six world powers said.
The parties have formally agreed on the title of the final agreement — “The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action” — Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said June 18, but progress on drafting the joint text beyond that was apparently halting and interrupted by consultations to narrow continued disagreements over elements of a final deal.
"Today, we have slowly begun to draft the final agreement … but there are still many differences," Zarif told journalists as he headed to an off-site function, Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) reported.
“If there's political will, we can reach [a] deal even before [the] July 20 deadline,” Zarif said.
