Two hours of nuclear talks between delegations from Iran and the US came to an end in Vienna on Thursday and the Iranian nuclear negotiators are preparing to hold talks with their European counterparts in coming hours.

According to IRNA, Abbas Araqchi and Majid Takht Ravanchi, two Iranian deputy foreign ministers were the Iranian top negotiators in talks with the US delegation.

On the second day of nuclear talks between Iran and the six world nations – known as the P5+1 – the two sides held a general meeting and bilateral and multilateral meetings are also being held to bring their views closer to each other.

The Iranian delegation will hold another meeting with the Russian delegation at 17:00 hours local time after their talks with the Europeans which are scheduled for 15:00.

According to EU foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashtonˈs spokesman, Michael Mann, Ms. Ashton and representatives from the six world nations are also scheduled to hold talks for further coordination later in the day.

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China – plus Germany have to agree on a comprehensive agreement about the nuclear dispute by July 20 that they have set as the target date under an interim deal struck on November 24 known as the Joint Plan of Action.

In a YouTube video message prior to his departure for Vienna, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran is ready to ensure the world that its nuclear program would remain peaceful forever.

Zarif said that the Iranian government is committed to putting an end to this ˈunnecessary crisisˈ by the July 20 deadline, hoping for the same resolve on the other side.

AM/