Six countries negotiated last week on a short-term deal with Iran to stop its nuclear weapons program. The P5+1 group is expected to reconvene next week to discuss its implementation.
As reported by the AFP:
The freeze is meant to make it more difficult for Iran to develop a "breakout" capability to quickly build a nuclear weapon, and the interim accord aims to build confidence while Tehran and the P5+1 hammer out a comprehensive agreement.
"Possibly our experts will hold a meeting next week in Vienna or Geneva to review the details of implementing the agreement," state broadcaster IRIB quoted deputy foreign minister Abbas Araqchi, Iran's lead negotiator in the talks, as saying.
He added that the first phase of the accord, which will be in force for six months, will be implemented once the finer details have been thrashed out.
Tehran's envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Reza Najafi, indicated on Friday that Iran's six-month freeze of its nuclear program would start by early January.
Superpower leaders appear hopeful of further progress:
1. Iran, President Hassan Rouhani
Agreement in Geneva is a very positive first step, but the journey before us is long. #IranTalks
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) November 26, 2013
2. United States, President Barack Obama
"Over the next six months, we will work to negotiate a comprehensive solution. We approach these negotiations with a basic understanding: Iran, like any nation, should be able to access peaceful nuclear energy. But because of its record of violating its obligations, Iran must accept strict limitations on its nuclear program that make it impossible to develop a nuclear weapon. In these negotiations, nothing will be agreed to unless everything is agreed to. The burden is on Iran to prove to the world that its nuclear program will be exclusively for peaceful purposes."
3. France, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius
"This agreement confirms Iran’s right to civil nuclear energy but totally prohibits the access to a military nuclear program. Its implementation will be tightly controlled and we’ll have to be vigilant, of course...."
4. Germany, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle
"We have come a crucial step closer to our goal of preventing a nuclear-armed Iran."
5. Great Britain, Foreign Secretary William Hague
6. China, Foreign Minister Wang Yi
"This agreement will help to uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation system, (and) safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East."
7. Russia, President Vladimir Putin
"A breakthrough step has been made...As the result of talks we managed to get closer to untying one of the most difficult knots in world politics."
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