A cloud of competing narratives shrouded the talks between Iran and the P5+1 nuclear powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) over the weekend with US Secretary of State John Kerry scrambling on Sunday to dispel rumors that a deal was ready to be signed. “It’s now time to see whether or not we are able to close an agreement,” Kerry said. “In many ways, this negotiation has been going on for literally a number of years. And, over the past few days, we have, in fact, made genuine progress. But I want to be absolutely clear with everybody. We are not yet where we need to be on several of the most difficult issues. And the truth is that while I completely agree with [Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad] Zarif that we have never been closer, at this point, this negotiation could go either way.” Read More
