Iran, US and EU meet in three-way meeting to discuss nuclear issue

On June 18, delegations from Iran, the United States and the European Union (EU) held a trilateral meeting in Vienna, Austria, to discuss Tehran’s nuclear issue. It is expected that delegations from Russia and China will also join the negotiations on June 19.

Iran nuclear talks. (Source: AFP/VNA).

The Iranian delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, the US delegation was led by Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and the EU's senior political official Helga Schmid led the EU delegation. Delegations from Germany, Britain and France also arrived in Vienna.

There are less than two weeks left until the deadline set by Iran and the P5+1 group (including the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: the US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) to complete a comprehensive agreement on Tehran's nuclear issue.

However, disagreements remain over issues such as allowing international experts into nuclear facilities and access to Iranian nuclear experts, export controls, some aspects of the enrichment program and sanctions.

During this round of negotiations, the parties are trying to narrow their differences and determine a time for the foreign ministers to participate in the negotiations. Diplomatic sources said the ministers will arrive in Vienna next week, starting June 24./.

(According to AFP, VNA/VN+)