TEHRAN: A first day of direct talks with the United States in Geneva Monday on Iran´s nuclear programme was “constructive”, one of Tehran´s main negotiators Abbas Araqchi was quoted as saying.
“The dialogue with the United States took place in a positive climate and was constructive,” the ISNA news agency quoted Araqchi as saying after several hours of talks with the US delegation.
“The talks will resume tomorrow (Tuesday) at 9:00 am local time (0700 GMT),” he added.
Senior Iranian and American officials began the two days of direct talks in an urgent effort to find common ground over Tehran´s controversial nuclear programme as a July 20 deadline for a lasting atomic deal looms.
For the Islamic republic, the goal is to make a leap towards ending the international sanctions that have battered its economy.
Washington and its allies are seeking solid commitments that will ensure Iran´s stated desire for a peaceful atomic power programme is not a covert attempt to build a nuclear bomb.