France reports 'bits of progress' in Iran nuclear talks
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said he remained convinced a deal is still possible, but warned "time is of the essence."
The Iran nuclear talks have made progress in recent days but time is quickly running out to secure a deal, the French foreign minister said on Friday.
The eighth round of negotiations aimed at restoring the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action resumed in Vienna on Monday after a brief holiday break. Iran’s negotiators returned to the talks in late November, reneging on compromises struck in previous rounds of talks, US and European officials said.
The United States and the other parties to the multilateral accord have since warned that the window is closing to cinch a deal in the Austrian capital. Late last month, negotiators from the so-called E3 — the United Kingdom, France and Germany — said "weeks not months" remained before the JCPOA’s original benefits were lost.
But on Friday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told BFM TV and RMC Radio that he remains “convinced” a deal can still be reached.
