Iranian Negotiators Meet G5+1 Counterparts in Bilateral Talks

(FNA)- Iranian negotiators and representatives of the Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany) discussed the main bones of contention in the latest round of nuclear talks underway in New York.

The Iranian team which is in New York to participate in the 7th round of talks between Iran and the G5+1 held bilateral meetings with the world powers' representatives on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York on Saturday and Sunday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton as well as Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi and Ashton's deputy, Helga Schmidt, also held bilateral meetings in New York on Saturday.

Also, the Iranian foreign minister had a quadrilateral meeting with the delegates of the three European members of the G5+1 last night.

Consultations are also underway today and the US, Russian and Chinese delegations are due to hold bilateral meetings with their Iranian counterparts later in the day.

The 7th round of Iran-powers talks started in New York on Friday.

The two sides held six rounds of negotiations in Vienna to reach a comprehensive deal after they inked an interim agreement in Geneva on November 24.

The Geneva agreement took effect on January 20 and expired six months later on July 20. In July, Tehran and the six countries agreed to extend negotiations until November 24 after they failed to reach an agreement on a number of key issues.