BICOM

Representatives of the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) will meet Iranian officials in Vienna today with the two sides expected to begin discussing wording for a long-term agreement over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

An interim six-month deal was concluded in November in Geneva, whereby Iran agreed to pause aspects of its nuclear programme in return for a relaxation of some sanctions. Principles for a longer-term deal have since been discussed, but today will signal the first attempt to translate this into a workable document, to be completed by late July.

Talks are expected to last for four days, starting this evening with a working dinner for Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who heads the P5+1 delegation. The central issues which are expected to dominate this week’s negotiations are Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity, the Arak heavy water reactor and “possible military dimensions” to the Iranian programme.

Last week, during a visit to Israel, United States’ National Security Advisor Susa Rice said that Iran must agree to “verifiable action” as part of an agreement. However, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned yesterday during a visit to Japan, that Iran remains a “clear and present danger” and that Tehran must be denied the capability to enrich uranium and develop nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, on the eve of today’s talks, Reuters reports that a confidential report by the United Nations Panel of Experts, which monitors Iran’s compliance with sanctions, suggests that Tehran may have developed “sophisticated procurement strategies” to acquire banned materials and has “also demonstrated a growing capability to produce key items indigenously.” In addition, a meeting between Iranian officials and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ended yesterday without any announcement over whether Tehran has increased its atomic transparency as requested by the IAEA. AP also quotes three diplomats who say Iran has yet to provide the IAEA with an explanation of its work on detonators which can spark a nuclear explosion.