Daily assesses a positive atmosphere in n-talks

Tehran, Dec 15, IRNA - 'Iran Daily' on Monday praised the change in tone of the US Department of State spokesperson which, the paper believes, heralds a more positive atmosphere in the upcoming negotiations. The English-language daily was assessing the remarks of US Secretary of State John Kerry who has also made some promising remarks about reaching a final deal on Iran’s nuclear energy program. The US has acknowledged that Iran has fulfilled all commitments under the Geneva agreement signed last year. This is the first time the West is trying to temper down the atmosphere ahead of new round of talks which indicates the US determination to come to a comprehensive accord, noted the paper in its Opinion column, adding that the dark clouds are seemingly beginning to clear up and that both Iran and the P5+1 are set to make history by ending the nuclear dispute through a win-win deal. If the US demonstrates goodwill by agreeing to lift sanctions, which are major obstacles to a final deal, the nuclear issue will be within reach and by resolving the decade-long dispute, even other thorny issues between Iran and the West could be settled. A final agreement would revive Iran’s sluggish economy and boost economic activities in the region. Iran and the US should manage the nuclear talks themselves. In fact, Iran’s rivals in the nuclear issue are only limited to the members of the P5+1 and no other country, pointed out the paper. Definitely, Iran will not allow other countries such as Saudi Arabia to engage in the issue. Iran has a positive approach towards Saudi Arabia as a neighbor and a key Muslim country which can play a major role in the region, it said. Iran has always had a constructive role in the region and sought to maintain friendly ties with Saudi Arabia, though the Arab kingdom has tried to obstruct a nuclear deal between Tehran and the West, noted the daily. Iran well knows that it was Saudi Arabia that hindered a final agreement in Vienna last month but should ask Washington, as a key ally of Riyadh, to prevent its wrench-throwing which is aimed at sabotaging the nuclear talks, wrote the paper in conclusion./end