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Nuclear negotiators take time for greetings on Persian new year Nuclear negotiators take time for greetings on Persian new year
(about 2 hours later)
LAUSANNE, Switzerland — Talks aimed at deciding Iran’s nuclear future continued Friday on the eve of the Persian new year, as President Obama appealed directly to Iran’s people and leaders to seize a “historic opportunity” to settle longstanding differences.LAUSANNE, Switzerland — Talks aimed at deciding Iran’s nuclear future continued Friday on the eve of the Persian new year, as President Obama appealed directly to Iran’s people and leaders to seize a “historic opportunity” to settle longstanding differences.
Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz met for almost an hour with Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, and the head of its nuclear agency, Ali Akbar Salehi.Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz met for almost an hour with Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, and the head of its nuclear agency, Ali Akbar Salehi.
Helga Schmid, deputy secretary general of the European Union, also joined them.Helga Schmid, deputy secretary general of the European Union, also joined them.
Just outside the negotiating room was a table marking Nowruz, as the new year is called in Iran and elsewhere. It was laden with sweets, stuffed animals and a pot holding grass, one of the traditional seven items used to mark the holiday.Just outside the negotiating room was a table marking Nowruz, as the new year is called in Iran and elsewhere. It was laden with sweets, stuffed animals and a pot holding grass, one of the traditional seven items used to mark the holiday.
At the top of the meeting, Kerry offered his condolences to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, whose mother just died, and extended new year’s greetings on behalf of the United States to the Iranian people.At the top of the meeting, Kerry offered his condolences to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, whose mother just died, and extended new year’s greetings on behalf of the United States to the Iranian people.
“We want to wish the people of Iran . . . a Nowruz Mubarak,” Kerry said, using the Farsi greeting. “We hope this is a year that can bring us prosperity and peace.”“We want to wish the people of Iran . . . a Nowruz Mubarak,” Kerry said, using the Farsi greeting. “We hope this is a year that can bring us prosperity and peace.”
[Petraeus on the future challenges for the Middle East][Petraeus on the future challenges for the Middle East]
“Nowruz is the beginning of spring, and in Farsi it means “new day,’” Zarif responded. “I hope this new day will be a new day for the entire world — a new era of greater understanding and peace.”“Nowruz is the beginning of spring, and in Farsi it means “new day,’” Zarif responded. “I hope this new day will be a new day for the entire world — a new era of greater understanding and peace.”
Kerry’s comments came on the heels of President Obama’s annual videotaped Nowruz message, this year delivered directly to Iran’s people and leaders.Kerry’s comments came on the heels of President Obama’s annual videotaped Nowruz message, this year delivered directly to Iran’s people and leaders.
“This year, we have the best opportunity in decades to pursue a different future between our countries,” he said, noting that diplomats and scientists both Iran and the United States were engaged in the ongoing talks curbing over Iran’s nuclear program and easing sanctions.“This year, we have the best opportunity in decades to pursue a different future between our countries,” he said, noting that diplomats and scientists both Iran and the United States were engaged in the ongoing talks curbing over Iran’s nuclear program and easing sanctions.
“The days and weeks ahead will be critical,” he continued. “Our negotiations have made progress, but gaps remain. And there are people, in both our countries and beyond, who oppose a diplomatic resolution. My message to you — the people of Iran — is that, together, we have to speak up for the future we seek.”“The days and weeks ahead will be critical,” he continued. “Our negotiations have made progress, but gaps remain. And there are people, in both our countries and beyond, who oppose a diplomatic resolution. My message to you — the people of Iran — is that, together, we have to speak up for the future we seek.”
[Decades of White House greetings for Nowruz]
If Iran’s leaders do not agree to a reasonable deal, Obama said, the country will remain isolated and sanctions will further squeeze its economy, which has suffered a double blow from falling oil prices.If Iran’s leaders do not agree to a reasonable deal, Obama said, the country will remain isolated and sanctions will further squeeze its economy, which has suffered a double blow from falling oil prices.
But if a deal can be forged, he said, Iranians will enter a world of more job opportunities, travel abroad and cultural exchanges.But if a deal can be forged, he said, Iranians will enter a world of more job opportunities, travel abroad and cultural exchanges.
“In other words, a nuclear deal now can help open the door to a brighter future for you — the Iranian people, who, as heirs to a great civilization, have so much to give to the world,” he said.“In other words, a nuclear deal now can help open the door to a brighter future for you — the Iranian people, who, as heirs to a great civilization, have so much to give to the world,” he said.
“This is what’s at stake today. And this moment may not come again soon. I believe that our nations have an historic opportunity to resolve this issue peacefully — an opportunity we should not miss. As the poet Hafez wrote, “It is early spring. Try to be joyful in your heart. For many a flower will bloom while you will be in clay.”“This is what’s at stake today. And this moment may not come again soon. I believe that our nations have an historic opportunity to resolve this issue peacefully — an opportunity we should not miss. As the poet Hafez wrote, “It is early spring. Try to be joyful in your heart. For many a flower will bloom while you will be in clay.”
Though Kerry and some European negotiators have said it is up to Iran to make a political decision to make concessions for an agreement, the Iranians suggest the choice is one for the United States to make.Though Kerry and some European negotiators have said it is up to Iran to make a political decision to make concessions for an agreement, the Iranians suggest the choice is one for the United States to make.
Zarif, who in recent days has suggested that an agreement is within reach, tweeted a message Friday saying that “Iranians have already their choice: Engage with dignity. It’s high time for the U.S. and its allies to choose: pressure or agreement.”Zarif, who in recent days has suggested that an agreement is within reach, tweeted a message Friday saying that “Iranians have already their choice: Engage with dignity. It’s high time for the U.S. and its allies to choose: pressure or agreement.”
The talks are expected to continue for the day. It is unclear if they will be further extended, or if the negotiators will break for a few days and return to their capitals.The talks are expected to continue for the day. It is unclear if they will be further extended, or if the negotiators will break for a few days and return to their capitals.
If they do take a pause in negotiating, they are expected to return to Switzerland next week before a self-imposed March 31 deadline for a framework agreement outlining the elements of a final deal to be completed by late June.If they do take a pause in negotiating, they are expected to return to Switzerland next week before a self-imposed March 31 deadline for a framework agreement outlining the elements of a final deal to be completed by late June.