EU, Iran Call For A Pause In Nuclear Talks To Iron Out Problems

Calls for a pause in Iran's nuclear talks with world powers gathered momentum on Friday as both Tehran and the European Union hinted at a temporary break.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Friday a final text regarding the revival of the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers is "essentially ready and on the table" but a pause is needed in the talks due to "external factors."

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh shortly after Borrell's statement tweeted that a pause in the negotiations "could be a momentum for resolving any remaining issue and a final return."

The pause is apparently is the only option at a point where Russia has introduced its own demand in the talks, which requires a diplomatic solution. Moscow has demanded a guarantee from the United States that its ties with Iran should be exempted from Western sanctions imposed for the invasion of Ukraine.

"As coordinator, I will, with my team, continue to be in touch with all JCPOA participants and the US to overcome the current situation and to close the agreement", Borrell said on his Twitter account.

Other issues also remain to be solved between Washington and Tehran. State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Thursday that although few problems remain to be overcome, they are are important ones.