Iran and six major world powers - US, UK, France,
Russia, China and Germany resume technical expert level talks in New York
today, ahead of further negotiations on a lasting nuclear deal.
The technical experts from these countries will meet
on the sidelines of a Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference at the
United Nations. The five-day long talks come ahead of a new round of talks
between Iran and P5+1 in Vienna on May 13 for a comprehensive deal over
Teheran’s controversial nuclear program.
The hopes for a deal have been bolstered by Tehran’s
announcement that it is allowing a visit by international nuclear inspectors
this week.
Iran’s nuclear program spokesperson, Behrouz
Kamalvandi said that IAEA inspectors will visit a uranium mine and a
uranium-processing facility in the towns of Ardakan and Yazd on Monday and
Tuesday.
He said that Tehran will be able to say after the
inspections that it has fulfilled all seven measures agreed in February between
Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog. Iran is required to meet those demands by May
15.
A deadline of July 20 has been set under the interim
deal of November 2013 to arrive at a permanent long lasting agreement under the
interim nuclear deal, reached by Iran and world powers in November, Tehran stopped
enrichment of uranium to 20 percent in exchange for partial relief in
sanctions.
Iran also agreed to dilute half of its existing 20
percent enriched uranium stockpile to the 5 percent level and transform the
rest into oxide, which is very difficult to use for bomb-making materials.
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