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P5+1 shouldn't have to move heaven and earth to reach an agreement with Iran

Politics Materials 29 September 2014 08:00 (UTC +04:00)
The U.S. State Department spokesman says that achieving a comprehensive agreement between Iran and the P5+1 on the Islamic Republic’s disputed nuclear program should not be so difficult issue
P5+1 shouldn't have to move heaven and earth to reach an agreement with Iran

Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 29

By Dalga Khatinoglu, Umid Niayesh - Trend:

The U.S. State Department spokesman says that achieving a comprehensive agreement between Iran and the P5+1 on the Islamic Republic's disputed nuclear program should not be so difficult issue.

Iranian officials have clearly reiterated the Islamic Republic's stance on the prohibition of weapons of mass destruction and "the country's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has issued a fatwa on this issue and we are very respectful about it," the U.S. State Department Farsi speaking spokesman, Alan Eyre told Trend on Sept. 27.

"We shouldn't have to move heaven and earth to reach an agreement with Iran," he said

"All of us are looking for innovative solutions that can be accepted by all the parties," Eyre said, adding that all the sides are serious on the issue and have goodwill and mutual respect.

Negotiators from Iran and the P5+1 comprised of Great Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States plus Germany opened a new round of talks on Sept. 19 in New York with only two months left to reach a comprehensive deal on Tehran's nuclear program. The talks ended on Sept. 26 without any significant progress.

Eyre refused to unveil any details about the fresh round of nuclear talks saying "the talks have progressed so far because the process was closed to the media and we have protected the negotiations' privacy."

"I will not talk about the details, I can only tell that the goal of the negotiations is to ensure that Iran will not acquire a nuclear weapon," he said.

The official said the lack of Iran's cooperation as a state party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was the main reason for the current problem.

"Tehran's non-compliance with its non-proliferation obligations resulted in submitting the Islamic Republic's case to the UN Security Council by the IAEA," he said.

The lack of transparency in Iran's nuclear program raised the international community's concerns, Eyre said, adding the widespread sanctions system was imposed on the Islamic Republic as a result of Tehran's decisions and positions.

"The outcome of the decisions made by Iranian government was the use of the extensive system of international sanctions against the Islamic republic in the hope that Iran would change its strategic calculations," he said.

While commenting on Iran's new approaches to the nuclear issue, Eyre said that Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani has talked about the changes after the last year's presidential election, underlining that the country has chosen the cooperation path.

"We welcome the decision and ask Iran to complete the entire engagement, from origin to destination, and not to hesitate," the official added.

He also said that both Iran and the global community will benefit from the comprehensive nuclear deal.

Iran and the P5+1 sealed an interim deal for a six-month period in Geneva on Nov. 23, 2013.

Under the deal, dubbed the Geneva Joint Plan of Action, the six countries undertook to provide Iran with some sanctions relief in exchange for Iran agreeing to limit certain aspects of its nuclear activities.

The deal took effect on Jan. 20 and expired on July 20. However the two sides agreed to extend their talks for four months until Nov. 24, 2014 to reach a permanent deal on Tehran's disputed nuclear program.

Both sides should seize the "historic opportunity"

The U.S. official also called the Iranian side to use the unique opportunity for cooperation with the global community.

As the U.S. President Barack Obama said Iran should seize the "historic opportunity" of reaching a deal with the world powers, Eyre said.

The U.S. follows Iranian officials including President Rouhani's statements, he said adding that Rouhani's visit to New York and participation in the UN General Assembly meeting was a good opportunity for expressing the Islamic Republic's viewpoints.

He said that exchanging viewpoints is important in order to increase the mutual understanding.

Iranian president may use the unique opportunity to listen the viewpoints of the world leaders about resolving Iran's nuclear dispute, Eyre said.

Iran can use nuclear energy alongside with eliminating the international community concerns over peaceful nature of its nuclear program, he added.

"If the Islamic Republic chooses this way, the sanctions will be removed and the country's economy will develop rejoining the global economy," the spokesman said.

"Iran has announced that it will cooperate with the global community and we welcome the decision," he added.

He expressed hope that the cooperation will lead to a comprehensive nuclear deal and the sides will not miss the historic opportunity.

P5+1 share same goal

Eyre said that there is no significant difference inside the P5 +1 group.

The member countries completely share the same viewpoints about the objectives and the approaches, he added.

"We always have consultations among members of the group and all the parties are informed about the latest developments and outcomes of bilateral meetings with Iran," the spokesman said.

He expressed hope that the unity among the five world powers will continue, while they have a joint goal.

Iran has responsibility in IS formation

While commenting on Rouhani's statements about extremism and terrorism treats, Eyre said "that was exactly the pathological diagnosis which Obama himself pointed out in his speech at UN, while urging the world to reject the cancer of violent extremism."

There is no doubt on necessity of undermining and eventually destroying the IS(Islamic State, formerly ISIL or ISIS) threat, he said adding that supporting the inclusive government in Iraq, instead of fueling sectarian discords is a necessity on this issue.

The spokesman also touched upon Obama's "multidimensional new strategy against the IS that includes the creation of an international coalition."

Obama said on Sept.10 in a nationally televised address that the U.S. will degrade, and ultimately destroy ISIL through a comprehensive and sustained counter-terrorism strategy.

The spokesman explained that the strategy includes systematic campaign of air strikes against IS targets, increased support for forces fighting against terrorists, more counter-terrorism efforts to cut off the IS attacks and continuing humanitarian assistance to civilians affected by the terrorists.

Obama also outlined a four-pronged approach to targeting the 'cancer of violent extremism' including degrading and destroying the IS, rejecting extremist ideology by Muslim countries, confronting with sectarian which prepare base for formation of terrorist groups and focusing on the extraordinary potential of the Arab and Muslim world by their governments while addressing the UN general assembly on Sept. 24.

Eyre underlined the role of the Islamic Republic's support for Syria's "illegitimate" president Bashar al-Assad which developed the bases for formation of the extremist groups.

"Don't forget that the IS was born in Syria, where the violent illegitimate government of Assad refused to respond the people's legitimate demands and led the country to the civil war," he said.

The spokesman said that the Assad regime suppressed and killed innocent people, instead of attempting to fulfill the Syrian citizens' rights.

"The Islamic Republic's continuous and unwavering support of Assad's ruthless and bloody regime which has had an undeniable effect in creating the current situation should not be neglected," he stressed.

The spokesman also said that the U.S. administration will not cooperate or coordinate with Tehran on the issue of fighting the IS, however as the US Secretary of State John Kerry earlier said all countries, including Iran can play role on the issue.

Eyre also warned the countries about "fishing in troubled waters in the region".

He invited all the countries to effort for establishing peace and reconciliation in "the turbulent region."

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