Three-day Iran-P5+1 n-talks commence

Tehran, May 14 (IANS) A fourth round of talks between Iran and the the P5+1 group of world powers on Iran's nuclear programme began Wednesday in Vienna.

The three-day talks are aimed at drafting a final comprehensive deal on Iran's nuclear energy programme, Press TV reported.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Tuesday met European Union's (EU) foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

The two sides exchanged views on the framework of the fourth round of talks and agreed to jointly proceed with the work.

Iran and the P5+1 or the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the US, China, Russia, France and Britain -- plus Germany are working out to reach a comprehensive deal following the interim accord that was formed in Geneva Nov 24, 2013, and came into effect Jan 20 this year.

The interim agreement, officially titled the Joint Plan of Action, was a pact signed between Iran and P5+1 group.

It consists of a short-term freeze of portions of Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for decreased economic sanctions on Iran, as the countries work towards a long-term agreement.

It represented the first formal agreement between the US and Iran in 34 years.