A nuclear negotiator pointed to the issue of simultaneity of sanctions removal with Iran's implementation of its commitments under any final nuclear deal as a major remaining sticking point in negotiations with the major powers.
"There is a problem of simultaneity which is still being examined and is one of the most important remaining pending issues…. We are studying how to synchronize the two measures. There are some ideas and suggestions."
"We think some solutions trusted by both sides will ultimately be found" so that everything will be in place for the effective implementation of the deal, Abbas Araqchi told IRIB News on Tuesday.
Iran and the P5+1 (five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany) are in talks to work out the details of the final deal on Tehran's nuclear work by an end-June deadline.
The prospective pact would remove sanctions in exchange for Iran accepting temporary constraints on its nuclear program.
Asked about the timing of lifting sanctions, he said on the same day that the deal comes into force, economic and financial nuclear-related sanctions would be removed.
However, "the deal will not come into force the same day it is signed," Araqchi pointed out.
He explained, "This is because (the deal) has to go through some technical and legal stages and the parliaments of all parities to the talks, namely US Congress, European parliaments and the Majlis, might want to review the deal" before it becomes effective.
Araqchi noted that Iran would not start implementing its commitments under the final accord until the other side takes action to lift sanctions.
Key Redline
Asked to comment on the provisions of the pact on Iran's research and development program, he said, "This is an issue already settled in Lausanne and was one of the most important parts of the Lausanne agreement."
"After months of negotiations, the other side agreed that our research and development on advanced centrifuges would continue."
"What has been our key redline since day one is that the work on such centrifuges must not be halted because the future of our nuclear industry depends on research and development on advanced centrifuges," he said, stressing, "So, certainly, the work in this area must continue."
The parties to the negotiations reached a preliminary understanding on April 2 in the Swiss city of Lausanne.
A fresh round of talks started in Vienna on Wednesday as deputy foreign ministers Abbas Araqchi and Majid Takht-Ravanchi sat down with EU Political Director Helga Schmid to resume drafting the text of the final agreement.
Expert-level talks will continue in parallel to the deputy-level meetings.
The deputies are scheduled to remain in Vienna at least until June 30.
