Nuclear negotiations between Iran and the world powers came to an end in Moscow with no breakthroughs, except for a tense agreement to meet again next month in Turkey.
Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign policy chief, announced after talks ceased that both sides had agreed to supply further clarifications at the next meeting in Istanbul, as well as technical studies of each other’s position, which will be prepared by Ashton’s deputy and the deputy to Saeed Jalili, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator.
Ashton said: “We have begun to tackle the critical issues; however, it remains clear there are significant gaps between the substance of the two positions.”
Jalili also commented on the talks in Moscow, saying: “The characteristics of these talks, they were more serious, more realistic and way beyond just expressing the viewpoints and positions."
Jalili added that Iran’s right to uranium enrichment was established once again, through documents that allegedly prove the Security Council resolutions are not legal.
The UN Security Council has issued four resolutions demanding that Iran stop its uranium-enrichment activities.
The German News Agency reports that at the meeting set for July 3 in Istanbul, Iranian diplomat Ali Bagheri will negotiate the technical issues, and Ashton has stated that it is up to Iran to resolve the nuclear disputes through diplomatic means.
The report also indicates that Iran called for the easing of sanctions on several occasions throughout the Moscow talks; however, European officials have responded that Iran must first take clear steps toward dispelling international concerns about its nuclear program.
