On May 12, a new round of nuclear negotiations began in Vienna, Austria between Iran and the world's six major powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States. In the days leading up to the talks, Iranian officials were largely optimistic about brokering an agreement by the end of June. Diplomacy is reportedly further along than the blueprint for an deal announced on April 2 suggested. But one member of Iran’s delegation, Hamid Baeidinejad, said the first day of negotiations was “very difficult.” The leader of Iran's team, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, said that technical issues could be overcome with enough political will. The talks concluded on May 15.
The following are recent remarks by officials from Iran and the world’s six major powers on the state of diplomacy.
Iran
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
They say new things in negotiations;we already said that we won't allow foreigners to carry out any inspections on military sites #IranTalks
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) May 20, 2015
President Hassan Rouhani“We have reached mutual understanding in a host of fields, and if the other side has the necessary determination, the final agreement will be achievable.”
—May 11, 2015 during a call with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazabayev
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif“An agreement is very likely -- provided that our negotiation partners mean it seriously.”
“Some people in the region are evidently panicking. We don't want to dominate the region. We are happy with our size and geography.”
—May 15, 2015 in an interview with Der Spiegel via Reuters
“We are not going to get into the United States' internal affairs and we consider the US government responsible to carry out the commitments it would undertake should there be an agreement.”
—May 11, 2015 to the press in reference to recent Congressional legislation
Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi“Even if I'm optimistic, that doesn't mean that any deal is acceptable. All parties want a good deal and for Iran it's only a good deal if our legitimate rights are respected and sanctioned are finished.”
“We have thought of all possibilities and, accordingly, are prepared for all scenarios.”
“We believe that solving the technical components won't be difficult if there is veritable political will. If that is the case, the final deal can very likely be reached before the deadline.”
—May 15, 2015 to Austrian news agency APA via Reuters
“Different elements inside and outside of the negotiation chamber can prevent a deal but despite all of this, we will continue the negotiations and we are very hopeful that we can reach a deal before the deadline.
“We have to abide by the solutions and agreements that we reached in Lausanne, and we will only negotiate in that framework.”
Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Chief Ali Akbar Salehi“The negotiations are being pursued within specified frameworks, and nothing is done beyond those frameworks.”
—May 10, 2015 to the press
Parliamentary Speaker Ali Larijani
“The final agreement is being written in the same framework of the negotiations. The deal would be in the interests of everyone if they act rationally.”
—May 11, 2015 according to the parliamentary news service
United States
Secretary of State John Kerry
“To start with, as Sergey [Lavrov] said, we discussed Iran, where Russia and the United States and our other P5+1 partners are working very hard through the nuclear negotiations with Iran. We are now coming into the last six weeks of those negotiations. And we all understand that unity has been key to bringing us where we are today. It is also going to be the key to completing a good deal and to our being confident that that deal will be able to be well-implemented. The United States and Russia remain closely aligned in this effort, as do the rest of our P5+1 allies and friends, EU partners.”—May 13, 2015 in a press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
Germany
Chancellor Angela Merkel
“I would like to point out that we have hopeful signals on the Iranian issue. Here the cooperation of states with [U.N. Security Council] veto, with Germany and Iran has led to a result nonetheless. We have hope for signing an agreement.”
—May 11, 2015 in a press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin
France
President Francois Hollande
“France and Saudi Arabia confirmed the necessity to reach a robust, lasting, verifiable, undisputed and binding deal with Iran.
“This agreement must not destabilize the security and stability of the region nor threaten the security and stability of Iran's neighbors.”
—May 5, 2015 in a statement with Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud
Photo credits: President.ir, Robin Wright, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs mfa.ir