Hague optimistic for future Iranian nuclear deal
William Hague remains optimistic that a deal will be struck with Iran over its nuclear programme despite talks with foreign ministers ending without agreement.
The foreign secretary said an agreement with Tehran is “on the table and it can be done” after progress was made to help narrow the gaps between Western nations and Iran.
Optimism about a breakthrough in the long running dispute was raised when politicians including US Secretary of State John Kerry met Iranian officials in Geneva for talks.
France is believed to be holding out for tougher conditions to be placed on Iran for the lifting of some sanctions, a final late-night two-hour session broke up without accord.
Difficult negotiation
Negotiators will reconvene in Geneva on November 20 and Mr Hague said it was “vital to keep the momentum”. Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show he said: “There is a good chance of that but it is a formidably difficult negotiation.
“I can’t say exactly when it will conclude but…our negotiators will be trying again so we will keep an enormous amount of energy and persistence behind solving this.”
“These talks have been very detailed. They have made a lot of progress and there is no doubt…that the parties are closer together than before we had these talks.
“So we haven’t been wasting our time but it is a formidably difficult negotiation of course and we are going to reconvene these talks in 10 days’ time here in Geneva and try to maintain that momentum.
‘Clearly united’
Mr Hague insisted that the six-nation E3+3 group consisting of the US, Russia, China, Britain, France, and Germany were “clearly united” at the end of talks. He also cautioned Israel that compromises were needed to secure a deal, following strong criticism of the agreement expressed by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Last night David Cameron joined efforts to reassure Israel over the discussions, contacting Mr Netanyahu to discuss the developments.
US President Barack Obama has also called the Israeli leader to assure him of America’s continued commitment to preventing Iran developing nuclear weapons.
Tehran insists its programme is for energy and civil purposes – not the pursuit of a nuclear weapon capability as suspected by the West.