Posted on 04/02/2015 9:14:12 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
The United States and five countries are about to wrap up a feverish round of negotiations with Iran with a statement of progress toward a deal to contain its nuclear program although the contours of any deal, and the level of detail, are still unclear.,
The European Union and Iran are expected to read a joint statement about the negotiators progress at 1 p.m. Eastern, the New York Times reported. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to hold a separate press conference afterwards.
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The announcement will come after a final round of negotiations in Lausanne, Switzerland, following a grueling marathon session that kept officials talking until 6 a.m. Thursday and two days after a self-imposed deadline to reach a political agreement.
It also came after the Obama administration started signaling its impatience with the Iranians, with White House press secretary Josh Earnest warning Wednesday that the negotiations would not be open ended.
The informal Tuesday deadline was for a broad framework only. Technical details wouldnt be due until June 30 a more meaningful deadline, because thats when the current interim deal limiting Irans nuclear program will expire.
The negotiators had been struggling to resolve the thorniest issues including how quickly sanctions would be lifted and how long Irans hands would be tied on research and development. And even with the announcement of a limited agreement, its an open question whether they will be able to sell it back home.
Iran has pushed for immediately lifting sanctions, while the U.S. and its partners France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia and China have pushed for an incremental phase-out as Iran acts on its promises.
Also at issue was how long Iran will have to wait before continuing its research and development of nuclear technology. While Iran was open to pausing its efforts for 10 years, it reportedly was balking at limits on years 11 to 15.
Obamas biggest foreign policy achievement ultimately could be at the mercy of domestic politics. A poll out Monday showed that 49 percent of Americans support the talks, while 40 percent disapprove. About two-thirds of respondents to the Pew Research Center poll do not think Iran is serious about addressing nuclear concerns.
Congressional leaders have vowed to pass legislation giving lawmakers the power to quash any deal a move backed by a majority in the Pew poll.
The 15-member U.S. delegation has been led by Secretary of State John Kerry and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, as well as top officials like Wendy Sherman, undersecretary of state for Political Affairs, and Robert Malley, an Iran expert at the National Security Council. The delegation also includes technical experts from the State, Energy and Treasury departments who are advising on nuclear issues and sanctions.
"They said they would begin bombing of American cities in five minutes."
The commander of the Basij militia of Irans Revolutionary Guards said that erasing Israel off the map is nonnegotiable, according to an Israel Radio report Tuesday.
The report is: Obama has demanded that Iran stop researching nuclear weapons in exchange for the delivery of 12 American W-87 nuclear warheads with support personnel and maintenance parts and facilities.
The Iranians are getting what they want: More time
Here come the useful idiots to perfume the dung heap.
Why not postpone the negotiations for a few decades ? That would let cooler heads prevail.
"Our enemies may be irrational, even outright insane,
driven by nationalism, religion, ethnicity or ideology.
They do not fear the United States
for its diplomatic skills or the number of automobiles
and software programs it produces.
They respect only the firepower of our tanks,
planes and helicopter gunships."
President Ronald Reagan
Exactly.
Kerry , the only thing I got was a Ton Travel Miles
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