Iran not pressed by time: nuclear negotiator

A senior Iranian negotiator in nuclear talks with world powers underlined that Tehran is not under the pressure of time to clinch a final nuclear agreement.

While Iran and 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) on Tuesday gave themselves an extra week to nail down details of a long-awaited nuclear deal beyond an end-June deadline, Abbas Araghchi expressed hope for good results within the additional seven days.

The senior negotiator, however, explained that Iran is not and will never be restrained by time limits, even if the talks fail to produce results.

“For us, reaching a good agreement –with the defined criteria- is important, not the notion that it (the talks) must end at a definite time,” Araghchi added.

He further said the negotiating parties are seriously working round the clock in Vienna in a “positive atmosphere”.

The spirit of moving ahead is there among all parties, Araghchi said, but noted that it does not mean that the delegations, including the Iranian one, are ready to make agreement at any price.

High-profile diplomatic meetings over a lasting deal on Tehran’s nuclear program have resumed in the Austrian capital on Wednesday after the two sides agreed to continue talks for more 7 days in the hope of clinching a deal.

Back on April 2, Iran and the six nations reached a framework nuclear agreement in Lausanne, Switzerland, that provides outlines of a final agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).