AFP – 16 Oct 2014 – Iran does not want to extend its nuclear talks with world powers beyond a November 24 deadline, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Thursday.
“We only have 40 days left to the deadline and also none of the negotiators find (an) extension of talks as appropriate. We share this view… and we think there is not any need to even think about it,” Zarif said on the sidelines of talks in Vienna, quoted by the website of state television.
The deal being sought, after a decade of rising tensions, is meant to ease concerns that Iran might be able to develop nuclear weapons under the guise of its civilian program.
To do this, world powers want Iran to scale down dramatically the scope of its atomic activities, offering in return relief from painful sanctions, but Iran is resisting.
Zarif said the sanctions “have had no effect” on Tehran’s development of its nuclear program.