Iran nuclear deal talks: US, Germany voice cautious optimism on negotiations

Representatives from major world powers and Iranian officials continued talks on the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Friday in Vienna, with the US and Germany both expressing cautious optimism about the state of the ongoing negotiations, DW reports.

"The United States team put forward a very serious idea and demonstrated a seriousness of purpose on coming back into compliance if Iran comes back into compliance," a top US State Department official in the talks told reporters Friday. The official said the US is now waiting for Iran to reciprocate its efforts.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas described the ongoing talks as "constructive."

"All sides showed a willingness to work with the necessary sincerity towards the same goal — the full implementation of the nuclear deal with Iran," Maas told German outlet RND in comments published on Saturday. "It won't be easy. We are only at the beginning of intensive negotiations." 

EU diplomat Enrique Mora called the talks "constructive and results-oriented."  Permanent Representative of Russia to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said JCPOA participants "noted with satisfaction the initial progress made."