Iran’s Zarif warns P5+1 against coercion

Amid intensive nuclear talks between Tehran and P5+1, Iran reminds world powers that they have to choose between coercion and agreement, warning against opting for the former.

“There is growing acknowledgment that attempting to coerce a proud civilization into submission only leads to further conflict, resentment and hostility,” Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote in an article published in The Financial Times on Wednesday.

“At the outset of this crisis, Iran had less than 200 centrifuges; today, it has 20,000. And so, my counterparts have rightfully opted for the negotiating table,” he said.

“But they still need to make the critical choice between an agreement and coercion.”

In a video message released on July 3, the Iranian foreign minister had likewise said Iran’s negotiating partners had to choose between the two.

Iran and P5+1 – the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany – have been engaged in crucial talks in the Austrian capital Vienna towards reaching a landmark deal over Tehran’s nuclear program.

The negotiating sides missed an initial deadline of June 30 and all parties agreed on a new, July 7. However, in the wake of the outstanding issues in the talks, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Tuesday that the negotiations would continue for “a couple” of more days.