P5+1 and, Iranian regime remain “far apart” on nuclear issue

The permanent five members of the UN Security Council plus Germany remain “far apart” on core issues in nuclear talks with the Iranian regime, including size and scope of uranium enrichment capacity, chief U.S. negotiator said.

Under-Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman said: “I fully expect in the days ahead that Iran will try to convince the world that on this pivotal matter, the status quo, or its equivalent, should be acceptable.”

Sherman made the remark in a speech on “U.S. Policy in the Middle East,” late on Tuesday, at Georgetown University.

Sherman said the sanctions would only be lifted if Tehran takes “convincing and verifiable steps to show that its nuclear program is and will remain entirely peaceful.”

“We must be confident that any effort by Tehran to break out of its obligations will be so visible and time-consuming that the attempt would have no chance of success,” she said.