29-03-2024 05:45 PM Jerusalem Timing

Zarif, Kerry Begin New Nuclear Talks in Montreux

Zarif, Kerry Begin New Nuclear Talks in Montreux

Iran and the United States Tuesday began second day of talks over Tehran’s nuclear energy program in the Swiss city of Montreux

Iran and the United States Tuesday began second day of talks over Tehran’s nuclear energy program in the Swiss city of Montreux.

nuclear talksUS Secretary of State John Kerry met with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif as they try to pin down a political framework for a nuclear deal by a March 31 deadline.
  
US officials said they began their talks at 9:33 am (0833 GMT).

The meeting is attended by head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Ali Akbar Salehi, deputy foreign ministers Abbas Araqchi and Majid Takht-e Ravanchi, Iranian president's special assistant, Hossein Fereidoun. From the US, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman. European Union's Deputy Foreign Policy Chief Helga Schmid also attended the meeting.

The AEOI chief and US energy secretary also held a separate meeting for three hours on Monday and then joined other negotiators in the ministerial talks.

Speaking at the end of the first day of talks on Monday, Zarif said the negotiations offered an opportunity to discuss political matters.

“This round of nuclear negotiations is a good chance for the two [foreign] ministers to discuss political matters, particularly the immediate removal of sanctions,” Zarif said.

Kerry and Zarif are due to continue negotiating until Wednesday afternoon, when Kerry will fly to Riyadh to meet King Salman.
  
Few details of the emerging deal have publicly come to light so far.