Kerry Cites ‘Significant Gaps’ as Foreign Ministers Join Iran Talks
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July 20 Is Deadline for Final Agreement.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned of “very significant gaps” in nuclear talks with Iran, as he arrived in the Austrian capital to join the negotiations.
With a week left to a July 20 deadline to complete a final nuclear deal, foreign ministers from the U.S., U.K., Germany and France arrived in Vienna in a bid to inject fresh momentum into the negotiations, which have progressed slowly in recent weeks.
“Obviously, we have some very significant gaps still. So we need to see if we can make some progress and I really look forward to a very substantive and important set of meetings and dialogues,” Mr. Kerry told reporters as he arrived at Vienna’s Coburg Hotel where Sunday’s talks will take place.
“It is vital to make certain that Iran is not going to develop a nuclear weapon—that their program is peaceful.”
U.K. Foreign Secretary William Hague also cited “very significant gaps” between the two sides and warned that “it is unlikely that there will be a quick breakthrough today.”
Asked if an extension to the talks might be needed, he said “it’s too early to say that.”
“Clearly we are only a week from the end of this six-month agreement but the focus is on seeing if we can make progress for a comprehensive deal,” he said.
Mr. Kerry and the other foreign ministers are due to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif later. There will likely be a series of bilateral meetings during the day.
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