Former spokesman of Iran’s Foreign Ministry Hamid Asefi in interview with Shargh Daily on Friday said that a big change, for better or worse, is going to befall Iran’s nuclear case by November 24.
After the time for Iran-5+1
New York meeting was announced, the bilateral meeting must have gained more
speed, he said.
This applies also to the Iran-U.S.
talks as well as to bilateral talks with Europeans. But with regard to
Americans I have to says that my information tell me that the meeting was set
for a few days from now, but since the 5+1 meeting in New York was scheduled
for an earlier time, this meeting also was drawn nearer.
In regard to why the meetings
were not announced Asefi stated that not announcing the meetings will lessen
the possibility of media barrage and lobbyism which will negatively influence
the negotiations.
September is going to be
a critical time for the nuclear talks, which means things will be facilitated
thereafter or on the contrary develop into a deadlock, the former FM spokesman
asserted.
He added that in the
previous talks, the time span between two sessions used to have a negative
impact on the negotiations, while the problem has been solved now by drawing
meetings closer.
"The lessening time span
between the negotiations is a good sign that the two sides are willing to reach
agreement,” he asserted.
As for whether the sides
will make an agreement by the November 24 deadline he said "Both Iran and the
EU have expressed optimism over a comprehensive agreement. But on one side due
to actions by various groups and on the other due to Obama’s equivocal behavior
something else may happen.”
But as things are
developing, we can says that by November 24 positive steps will be taken and the
atmosphere will be better than today, he maintained.