US on Iran talks: No one should expect breakthrough overnight

Western diplomats have said that they are hopeful for the nuclear proposal Iran is set to give at the next round of P5+1 talks, but caution not to expect an immediate breakthrough.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks to the media after a meeting of the foreign ministers representing the permanent five member countries of the United Nations Security Council, including Germany, at the U.N. Headquarters in New York September 26, 2013. U.S. and Iranian officials emerged upbeat on Thursday from a meeting on Iran's nuclear program but both sides also sounded a cautionary note, with the United States saying there was more work to do and Iran insisting on quick sanctions relief. REUTERS
US Secretary of State John Kerry (C) arrives at a meeting of the foreign ministers representing the permanent five member countries of the United Nations Security Council, including Germany, at the U.N. Headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2013. - REUTERS/Eric Thayer
laurarozen.jpg
Laura Rozen
@@LRozen

Geneva_ Western diplomats said they were looking forward to hear the Iranian nuclear proposal but sought to lower expectations for any immediate breakthrough at Iran nuclear talks due to get underway here Tuesday.

"No one should expect a breakthrough overnight," a senior US administration official told journalists in a background briefing in Geneva Monday night. "We have to start somewhere and we hope to start here."

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more