Have gaps to close in negotiations with Iran: US

Observing that the international community has continued to make progress in negotiations with Iran on its controversial nuclear programme, the US has said there are still quite a few gaps to close, and were not sure if they can do so before the November 24 deadline.
"We have continued to make some progress in the course of these negotiations, but we still have gaps to close. And, we do not yet know if we will be able to do so," a senior official told reporters yesterday during a conference call on the eve of the resumption of the crucial negotiations between Iran and P5+1 countries in Vienna.

The official, however, emphasised that there has been no talks on extension of the November 24 deadline to conclude negotiations with Iran on its nuclear programme.
The international community led by the US argues Iran's nuclear programme is weapons oriented, which is denied by Tehran. Iran has maintained that its nuclear programme is for civilian and peaceful purposes only.
"Right now is the time for Iran to back up its words and the supreme leader's fatwa with credible and verifiable actions that they have not sought and have no intention to seek a nuclear weapon. We hope that this will be a week when decisions are made. And we understand that they are difficult decisions all the way around," the official said.

The view from the international community, and certainly the P-5 plus one is that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon, that all the pathways to fissile material for a nuclear weapon are shut down, and that the international community has the assurances it needs over time that Iran's program is completely peaceful.

Senior administration official said there are areas where progress has been made.
"But there are still areas in which there are very serious gaps that have to be addressed. Whether they can be in this time-frame remains to be seen. We have tried to be open to ideas as long as it meets the metric that the (US) President has laid out. There are many ways to those metrics and that is what we are seeking to do here," the official said.

"This is obviously an understanding or a joint comprehensive plan of action where the details matter enormously.
"So even if we come to a general understanding on some of the largest parameters, we will not be able to announce that we have reached a joint comprehensive plan of action without also knowing the details," the official added.