Rouhani says Iran nuclear agreement ‘very likely’ by JulyMay 22, 2014 - 13:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran's president said Thursday, May 22, an agreement by July on curbing its nuclear program is "very likely" despite a snag in talks last week, but that the deadline might also be extended, according to the Associated Press. Talks in Vienna stalled last Friday, denting hopes that negotiators could meet a July 20 target date. The failure to advance diminished a sense of optimism that had been growing since negotiations began Feb 18 on a comprehensive deal. The talks involve Iran and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany. "It is very likely that we can come to an agreement by the end of July," President Hassan Rouhani told a news conference. He was in Shanghai for an Asian security conference. Reaching agreement depends on unspecified countries not be giving a chance to "create problems," Rouhani said. Western nations say Iran's nuclear program could allow it to build atomic weapons. Iran says its program is for peaceful purposes such as medical research and power generation. Because the technology can also create weapons-grade uranium for warheads depending on the level of enrichment, Washington and its allies want strict constraints on its size and scope. Deputy Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said last week in Vienna that differences remain on more than a dozen issues. A Western official with detailed knowledge of the talks said enrichment was among the most divisive topics. Rouhani also held out the possibility the deadline might be extended by six months. "We're not in a hurry to reach an agreement but if there is goodwill in the 5+1 countries and enough efforts, in my view there is enough time for conclusion," he told reporters. The Iranian leader criticized Western sanctions imposed over the nuclear program. "People are happier in Iran than they were a year ago, happier economically and socially," he said. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |