28-03-2024 10:02 PM Jerusalem Timing

Optimism as Zarif, Kerry Agree to Continue Drafting Final N. Deal

Optimism as Zarif, Kerry Agree to Continue Drafting Final N. Deal

Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, met his US counterpart John Kerry on Monday, with the two agreed to continue drafting the final nuclear deal with seriousness.

Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, met his US counterpart John Kerry on Monday, with the two agreed to continue drafting the final nuclear deal with seriousness.

Zarif said that the United States has reiterated assurances that Washington will remain committed to any possible deal with Tehran over its nuclear program.US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

“The US delegation reassured us that in case of any agreement [between Iran and the P5+1 countries], the US government will commit to the implementation of the deal,” Zarif told reporters following the meeting in New York.

“What we expect from the US administration and other governments is that they remain committed to their international obligations,” the Iranian minister added.

The two top diplomats agreed that Iran and the P5+1 countries would continue drafting the details of a final nuclear agreement with seriousness on Wednesday and continue the work by next week to finalize the deal, Zarif said.

He said the European Union’s delegation would also arrive in New York on Wednesday, adding that representatives of Iran, the EU and US would work on the draft of the final nuclear deal and continue the writing within the next weeks in Europe.

On his turn, Kerry said that the US and five other major powers are closer than ever to a deal with Iran that would end a 12-year-old nuclear standoff, though more tough negotiations lie ahead.

"We are, in fact, closer than ever to the good, comprehensive deal that we have been seeking, and if we can get there, the entire world will be safer," Kerry told the 191 NPT parties, adding that bringing Iran back into compliance with the pact was always at the heart of negotiations with Tehran.

Kerry added, however, that "the hard work is far from over and some key issues remain unresolved."