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Awaiting 'white smoke' in Vienna

An Iranian source tells Al-Monitor that it is Iran, not the US Congress, that needs reassurances as nuclear talks in Vienna approach the deadline.
White smoke rises from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, indicating a new pope has been elected at the Vatican March 13, 2013. White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel and the bells of St. Peter's Basilica rang out on Wednesday, signaling that Roman Catholic cardinals elected a pope to succeed Benedict XVI. REUTERS/Tony Gentile (VATICAN  - Tags: RELIGION)   - RTR3EXR7

VIENNA — The clouds of Vienna resemble the status of the talks taking place under its sky. For a moment it’s almost going to rain, and then the sun shines as it should on a normal midsummer day. Still, only a few negotiators are getting outside the closed doors at Palais Coburg, where Iran and six world powers are having what should be their last round of talks.

Everyone is waiting for a Vatican-like "puff of white smoke" that might bring 3½ decades of tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran to a happy ending.

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