Iran Snap Analysis: No Advance in the Nuclear Talks on Friday
Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 6:21
Catherine Ashton, the lead negotiator for the 5+1 Powers, and her Iranian counterpart Saeed Jalili
The US and European members of the 5+1 Powers want Iran to work with specifics of the 5+1 proposals, namely the arrangements for suspension of enrichment of 20% uranium. They were unable to get Tehran's negotiators to start from that point.
The Iranians fear that they will get little for agreement to that suspension, even on a six-month rather than permanent basis. So far the Western power shave offered no more than token relief of some sanctions, namely on gold and precious metals, and have not explicitly recognised Iran's right to enrich to 5%.
So Tehran's negotiators are looking for a declaration on principles --- for example, the right to enrich --- before taking on the specifics.