Iran, US bilateral talks wrapped up in Geneva

TEHRAN, Jan. 17 (MNA) – Iran and the US bilateral talks at deputy level was wrapped up last night in Geneva, with Zarif and Kerry already having met in Paris to progress the talks. Iranian FM Mohammad Javad Zarif met with the US Secretary of State John Kerry Friday afternoon in Paris. According to media tweets, the meeting had lasted for 50 minutes following the talks already held in the Swiss city of Geneva. Zarif told that the meeting in Paris had taken place at the suggestion of John Kerry who had already been there to meet with the French foreign minister. “During these meetings we held discussions on obstacles in the way of reaching an agreement,” said Zarif, noting that the meetings aimed at helping the process of negotiations. “Other members of the negotiating teams are to continue the talks to bring about new possibilities to advance the talks,” he said. Zarif told that he would return to Geneva after his meeting with Kerry in Paris, and continue the talks with 5+1 foreign ministers on the phone. Iran and the US bilateral talks at deputy level was wrapped up in Geneva Friday afternoon, Jan. 16. Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Deputy Foreign Minister for European and American Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi represented Iran in talks with US Undersecretaries Wendy Sherman and William Burns, as well as Jake Sullivan, Vice President Joe Biden's top foreign policy adviser. A US Department of State official has announced Zarif and Kerry will hold another bilateral meeting in the upcoming weeks. This was the second round of talks after the seven-month extension of interim agreement between Iran and the 5+1. Negotiators hope to reach a rough deal by March and a final agreement by June 30. The scale of Iran's uranium enrichment and the timetable for the lifting of sanctions against Iran are seen as major sticking points.