BICOM

US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Iran that time is running out for a nuclear deal. Speaking at a press conference in Jordan yesterday, he said, ‘Our number-one priority on Iran is making sure that they don’t get a nuclear weapon. It’s that simple, that direct. We’re engaged in a difficult but serious negotiation toward that end. The question now is whether Iran will make the choices required to close the final gaps and provide assurances that they can’t develop and won’t develop a nuclear weapon. Iranian leaders have said repeatedly and unambiguously that they have no intention of building a nuclear weapon. But actions have to be taken to back up those words and time is running short’

The deadline for a nuclear deal is 24 November, when the Joint Plan of Action agreed between Iran and the P5+1 countries ends. France’s Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, said that ‘key questions’ remain unresolved. According to the Jerusalem Post, Mr Fabius said, ‘I can’t make any predictions at this time… I think it will only be on the day of the 24th that we’ll be able to make an assessment.’

Already, some have begun to talk about another extension to the talks, which have already been extended once from July to the current November deadline.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich was quoted as saying ‘We have emphasized that all parties are striving to meet this deadline. But what is more important, a deadline or a real agreement?’

Earlier this week, two US senators responsible for Iran sanctions legislation, Bob Menendez of New Jersey and Mark Kirk of Illinois, warned that they would only agree to lift sanctions if a deal with Iran dismantled its nuclear programme rather than merely freezing it.