Iran and P5+1 Talks Extended an Additional Four Months
July 22, 2014, Washington, D.C. – Following negotiations between members of the P5+1 and representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) in Vienna, the Obama Administration stated Friday that talks will be extended four months past the July 20th deadline of the initial agreement.
Such an extension was anticipated in the Joint Plan of Action agreement reached last fall. Reports indicate that the initial agreement has effectively frozen and helped role back key elements of Iran’s nuclear program in return for limited sanctions relief. An extension of the initial agreement would help keep Iran’s enrichment program frozen and under continued inspection.
PAAIA applauds those involved in the negotiations for their continued focus and pursuit of a diplomatic resolution to the impasse over Iran’s nuclear program. U.S. negotiators are working hard to achieve an agreement that limits Iran’s nuclear capability and allows for stringent international monitoring.
The alternative to a diplomatic resolution over Iran’s nuclear program could increase chances of an Iranian nuclear weapon or another war in the Middle East.
PAAIA’s 2014 National Public Opinion Survey of Iranian Americans found that a majority of Iranian Americans (52%) support the Obama administration’s handling of Iran’s nuclear program. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of Iranian Americans would support the removal of nuclear related sanctions on Iran if the Iranian regime reached a permanent agreement with the U.S. and the international community concerning its nuclear program. Only small minority of Iranian Americans (6%) believe that military action against Iran would be in the best interest of the United States.
Iranian Americans have deep ties to the people of Iran. They want to see an Iran that is democratic and respects human rights and are supportive of measurers that would facilitate greater understanding between the peoples of the U.S. and Iran. We at PAAIA are hopeful that these historic negotiations can lead to opportunities for further engagement and collaborations between the peoples of Iran and the United States.
