Iran, G5+1 start 9th round of nuclear talks

Muscat, Nov 11, IRNA – The ninth round of inclusive talks began Tuesday between Iran and the P5+1 officials after two days of intensive trilateral talks between Iranian Foreign Minister Mohmmad Javad Zarif, his US counterpart John Kerry and the EU nuclear coordinator Catherine Ashton. Iran's Foreign Ministry deputies Abbas Araqchi and Majid Takht-e-Ravanchi exchanged views over remaing topics with their counterparts from the six world powers (US, Britain, Russia, France and China plus Germany). The ongoing nuclear talks focus on the remaining differences about Iran's nuclear program including the size of Iran's enrichment activities, removal of Western sanctions against Iran and duration of nuclear agreement. The negotiating parties try to reach a comprehensive agreement within the remaining 13 days before the end of a deadline which expires on November 24. Speaking to reporters on Monday evening, Araqchi said that the ninth round of talks on Tuesday will possibly continue on Wednesday. The senior negotiator also said that bilateral and multilateral talks are to be held with the negotiating parties, Russia and China as the first two countries. Foreign Minister Zarif and EU nuclear coordinator Ashton will also be present in the ninth round of the nuclear talks, he added./end