Iran and world powers are still searching for common ground on the main issues of the ongoing nuclear talks in Vienna says Tehran's Foreign Minister, according to Reuters Friday.
"We have not reached agreement on the main issues. In some cases, we can see light for agreement but in some others, there is none yet," Iran FM Mohammad Javad Zarif told Iranian media as reported by Reuters.
Zarif's remaks come five days after nuclear talks between Iran and the so-called P5+1 group of western powers resumed talks in Vienna in order to implement the historic interim deal from late last year into a "lasting accord." The next round of talks will resume July second, with a self-imposed deadline for the final version of the accord set for July 20th.
However, Zarif told reporters that progress is still at the early stages.
"There are more brackets than words in it," Zarif told reporters, in reference to the draft accord.
Zarif says the United States' growing "rigid stance" has been problematic in the drafting process, which may undermine the chances that a deal is finalized at all.
"We feel there are still maximalist stances on the other side, which I think should be dropped," Zarif said.
