Saudi Arabia extends invitation to bitter rival, Iran
Subscribe: http://smarturl.it/reuterssubscribe May 13 - Saudi Arabia #39;s Foreign Minister says he has invited his Iranian counterpart for a visit, hinting at a cautious thaw between the two...
By: Reuters
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Saudi Arabia extends invitation to bitter rival, Iran - Video
Nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers moved to an ambitious new stage on Wednesday, with the two sides sitting down to start writing the text of a final deal. But with major issues still unresolved, any initial draft is likely to be a patchwork affair and agreement remains uncertain.
The talks are being coordinated by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, and her spokesman, Michael Mann, said the two sides are "getting down to the nitty-gritty" in discussions scheduled to adjourn Friday, about two months before the July 20 target date for a deal.
The United States and its allies hope to reduce Iran's potential nuclear weapons-making capacity by negotiating substantial cuts in its atomic program. Tehran says it has no interest in such weapons but is ready for some concessions if all sanctions on its economy are lifted.
Two diplomats involved with international efforts to trace and curb Iran's atomic activities said the two sides were coming to the table with some differences narrowed but others remaining.
The diplomats demanded anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the confidential talks. But they gave a partial picture of where things stand.
Areas of progress include:
ARAK
The partially built reactor at Arak was meant to be a heavy-water facility that would produce substantial amounts of waste plutonium material that can be used as the core of a nuclear weapon. There is tentative agreement on re-engineering the reactor to a light-water installation or cutting back on its output.
MONITORING A DEAL
Iran is ready in principle to sign an agreement with the U.N. atomic agency that would allow its experts to visit any declared nuclear site at very short notice; investigate suspicions of undeclared nuclear activity, and push for deeper insight into all atomic work.
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Iran, 6 Powers Wrestle Over Text of Nuke Deal
Iran on Wednesday appeared to welcome an offer by Saudi Arabia to thaw relations between the two countries, a day after the kingdom's top diplomat invited his Iranian counterpart to visit.
Tehran, however, stopped short of confirming plans for a trip to the kingdom by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Sunni-ruled and U.S.-allied Saudi Arabia has long been wary of Shiite powerhouse Iran's influence in the region. Relations between the two countries have been further strained by the civil war in Syria. Saudi Arabia and its Sunni-ruled Gulf neighbors back rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad's government, which is supported by Tehran.
Saudi Arabia took a step toward breaking the ice on Tuesday, when Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said he had invited his Iranian counterpart to visit and was awaiting a reply.
"I hope that Iran contributes to stability in the region," Prince Saud was quoted as saying by the official Saudi Press Agency. "Iran is a neighbor country and we have relations with it. We talk to them and hope to end any differences between the two countries."
In recent months, Zarif visited several Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates and Oman in a sign of improving relations with Iran's Sunni neighbors.
Tehran has expressed an interest in working more closely with Saudi Arabia too, but the kingdom had previously shown little appetite for boosting ties.
Besides its differences with Iran over Syria, Saudi Arabia sees a stronger Iran as a threat to its own influence in the region. Riyadh also has accused Iran of backing Shiite uprisings in neighboring Yemen and Bahrain.
Iran's deputy foreign minister, Amir Abdollahian, was quoted on Wednesday by al-Alam, the Arabic-language channel of Iran's state TV, as saying that Iran has not received any written invitation from Saudi Arabia so far.
"Iran welcomes dialogue and meeting to help resolve regional disputes, remove misunderstandings and further promote bilateral ties," he said.
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Iran Shows Openness to Improving Saudi Ties
Western Military Attack On Iran Imminent
Nikolay Makarov, the chief of the general stuff of the Russian military has said that he believes that there could be an attack on Iran by the West by the su.PLEASE DONATE Visit . Attack on...
By: Nicholas John
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Western Military Attack On Iran Imminent - Video
The Secret Deal with Iran to Trade Arms for Hostages: October Surprise and Ronald Reagan (1991)
In the 1980 presidential election, Republican challenger Ronald Reagan feared that a last-minute deal to release American hostages held in Iran might earn incumbent Jimmy Carter enough votes...
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The Secret Deal with Iran to Trade Arms for Hostages: October Surprise and Ronald Reagan (1991) - Video