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The US State Department has confirmed that it will hold direct talks with Iran on Monday to discuss arrangements ahead of expected negotiations to reach a comprehensive deal regarding Tehran’s nuclear programme.
The US delegation which will meet with senior Iranian officials in Geneva Monday is comprised of Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns and Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy R. Sherman.
The European Union’s political director, Helga Schmid, will also be present at the talks which will last for two days until June 10.
According to the Iranian news agency IRNA quoting senior official Abbas Araqchi, the Tehran delegation will then fly to Rome to meet with Russian officials.
On June 16, Iran will meet in Vienna, Austria with delegations representing the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and Germany – also known as P5+1.
This round of negotiations follows a preliminary agreement reached by Iran and P5+1 last November when Tehran agreed to curb its uranium enrichment programme and open up its facilities in return for an easing of economic sanctions.
The easing of sanctions allowed Iran access to billions of dollars in frozen offshore funds, but the embargo on its oil exports have not changed.
However, US President Barack Oabama warned that if Iran were to fail to meet its commitments, its access to previously frozen funds would cease as Washington would reapply pressure through sanctions and diplomatic means.
Iran and P5+1 hope to reach a comprehensive deal by July 20.
Source: Agencies
