IRAN-NUCLEAR/LAVROV Russia's Lavrov says Iran nuclear deal within reach, wants arms embargo lifted

Record ID: 147914

  • Title: IRAN-NUCLEAR/LAVROV Russia's Lavrov says Iran nuclear deal within reach, wants arms embargo lifted
  • Date: 9th July 2015
  • Summary: UFA, RUSSIA (JULY 9, 2015) (REUTERS) RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEI LAVROV ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, SERGEI LAVROV, SAYING: "Based on the principle of taking consecutive and mutual decisions, we are now on the verge of reaching not an intermediate, but a final and comprehensive agreement (with Iran). It is already w
  • Embargoed: 24th July 2015 13:00
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  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVACLSLR74B4AHAN62PNMXOFHQAU
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: A final deal on Iran's nuclear programme is within reach, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday (July 9), adding that he is ready to return to Vienna for talks between Tehran and six major world powers to work on the agreement.
    "Based on the principle of taking consecutive and mutual decisions, we are now on the verge of reaching not an intermediate, but a final and comprehensive agreement (with Iran). It is already within reach," Lavrov told a news conference at the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Ufa.
    The Russian foreign minister also outlined the basic principles of a possible deal.
    "Safeguarding the right of Iran to peaceful development of its nuclear energy sector, including the right to enrichment of uranium, along with clearing of all issues regarding the substance of the Iranian nuclear programme, and along with lifting of all sanctions," said Lavrov.
    He said the agreement would be implemented in stages.
    "It is clear it will not be a single momentous action, but rather an agreement that will have its stages. It is now being finalised at the talks in Vienna."
    Lavrov said lifting an arms embargo against Iran should be a priority after a permanent deal on Tehran's nuclear program is reached.
    "We are advocating for lifting of the arms embargo as soon as possible (after the deal is reached). Even more so, as Iran - as we have all now seen - is a dedicated supporter of the fight against Islamic State and of clearing the region and the rest of the world of this threat. Lifting of the arms embargo would help Iran to raise its military capabilities in fighting against terrorism."
    "There are no more insurmountable obstacles left - if only somebody taking part in the talks, and that won't be the Russian Federation, would not try to gain something out of the talks at the very last moment in the conditions when the time is short," Lavrov added.
    Lavrov also said that there was no strict deadline for a potential deal.
    "With regard to the deadline (for the deal), we have never had artificial deadlines. We adopted some time frames - June 30 was first, then it was July 7 - but now when we parted with our colleagues when we all were leaving Vienna on Monday, we all agreed that the quality of the agreement is most important."
    Western countries accuse Iran of seeking the capability to build nuclear weapons, while Tehran says its programme is peaceful.
    A successful deal could be the biggest milestone in decades towards easing hostility between Iran and the United States, foes since Iranian revolutionaries stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979.
    It would also be a political success for both U.S. President Barack Obama and Iran's pragmatic President Hassan Rouhani, both of whom face scepticism from powerful hardliners at home.
    Iran offered some new solutions to resolve the disputes in the nuclear talks on Wednesday (July 8), Iranian media reported, but Western officials suggested they had heard nothing new from Tehran.
    Rouhani arrived in Ufa just before midnight on Wednesday. He will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday and take part in a meeting with the BRICS leaders.
    Russia is among the six world powers negotiating with Iran a permanent nuclear deal for Tehran, but talks have been complicated and deadline for the agreement postponed.
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