Iran Continues Missile Development, Western Powers Resume Talks
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JERUSALEM, Israel -- Two days after Iran's semi-official FARS news agency posted three "exclusive stories" on the Islamic Republic's development of cruise missiles that can fly farther and carry bigger payloads, talks with Western powers on its nuclear program reconvened in Vienna.
The P5+1 (U.S., U.K., France, Russia, China and Germany) says it hopes to begin drafting a final accord on Iran's nuclear program.
Though Iranian officials have repeatedly said they would never stop enriching uranium and the missile program is not up for discussion, both sides hope to move forward on a final accord before mid-July, when the six-month interim agreement and accompanying sanctions relief expires.
European Union Foreign Policy Chief Baroness Catherine Ashton, who is coordinating the talks, remains optimistic. According to Ashton, they made some progress during the first three meetings that began last February.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on a visit to Japan this week, said Israel's number one concern is the "proliferation of nuclear terrorism and nuclear weapons."
"We are interested in peace and stability throughout the world. We see a danger and a challenge posed by a rogue state arming itself with nuclear weapons," Netanyahu told Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.
"Clearly the Ayatollahs cannot be trusted and if the international community wants to avoid the specter of nuclear terrorism, they must ensure that Iran, the foremost sponsor of terrorism on the planet, not have the capability to develop nuclear weapons. This is our number one concern but I think it should be shared by everyone who is concerned by the proliferation of nuclear terrorism and nuclear weapons."
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