N. Talks End in Deal If Powers Stop Seeking Baseless Excuses

(FNA)- Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani underlined that the nuclear talks between Tehran and the world powers will yield a final agreement if the western powers stop seeking excuses.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue the negotiations similar to the past by maintaining its logical principles and criteria," Larijani said in a meeting with Croatia's First Deputy Prime Minister Vesna Pusic in Tehran on Sunday night.

"If there no baseless excuse is sought, attainment of an agreement can be expected," he added.

Pusic, for his part, expressed the hope that Iran's nuclear issue will be settled fairly and in line with the establishment of peace and stability in the world, and said, "Croatia as a new member of the EU is ready to cooperate in bringing progress to the talks."

On Saturday, Larijani underlined that US President Barack Obama should account for any possible failure in the nuclear talks between Tehran and the world powers.

"The issues between the US administration and the congress and their internal problems are not related to us," Larijani said, addressing a forum in Tehran.

His remarks came after the US congress (mostly grabbed by the Republicans) threatened the Obama administration that it will impose new sanctions against Iran, an issue which has been described as a redline by Tehran in the interim nuclear agreement reached with the world powers in November 2013.

"If the negotiations do not end in results, Obama should account for rocking the boat," he said.

Also last Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister and top negotiator Mohammad Javad Zarif called on the US officials to stop the policy of pressures against Tehran, adding that the negotiations with the world powers have entered a complicated stage.

"If the Americans want to reach results, they should put an immediate end to the dangerous game of pressuring Iran," Zarif told reporters in Tehran.

Elaborating on the latest round of talks between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany) which was held in Geneva last Sunday, he said, "The negotiations have become very complicated and we are studying the details. Positions on general points are clear; we have been studying the details for a long time."

"As I have repeatedly stated, the principle of enrichment, the necessity for removing the sanctions and preserving Iran's nuclear program have all been accepted and we have been negotiating on details for several months now," Zarif said.

Asked if the Iranian side was ready to reach a comprehensive agreement with the world powers by mid March which marks the new Iranian year, he said, "We believe that if the other side shows determination and good will, one week will be enough for reaching an agreement" and the Iranian side is ready for a final deal by the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran on February 11.

In relevant remarks earlier this month, Zarif cautioned the G5+1 not to miss the present opportunity for cutting a final deal with Iran.

Speaking in a televised interview in Geneva, where he held a meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry, Zarif advised nuclear negotiators to use opportunity for resolution of the deadlock over Iran's nuclear program.

The 10th round of negotiations between Iran and the six world powers was held in Vienna from November 18 to 24, where the seven nations decided to extend the talks until July after they failed to strike an agreement.

The latest round of the nuclear talks between the two sides was held at the level of deputy foreign ministers in Geneva, Switzerland, on January 18.

The two sides decided to continue their talk early in February.

Both Iran and the G5+1 negotiators have underlined that cutting a final deal before the July 10 deadline is possible.