Russia is concerned about a slowdown in the progress of Iran nuclear talks as the sides are still in deadlock over remaining key issues, including lifting of sanctions and access to Iranian facilities, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Thursday, Sputnik reported.
"Unfortunately, the progress pace...is slowing down. It worries us more and more because the time laef to the deadline is getting short, and we must step on the final stretch as soon as possible," Ryabkov, who is Russia's top nuclear negotiator at Iran nuclear talks, told reporters upon arriving in Vienna for a fresh round of negotiations at the level of political directors.
The sides are still to resolve some major differences, including the sequencing of sanctions relief and access to Iranian nuclear sites for international monitors. Tehran is opposed to allowing inspectors into military sites, which it claims are not related to its nuclear program.