Kerry and Zarif: Meeting in Munich

February 3, 2014

      On February 2, Secretary of State John Kerry discussed upcoming nuclear negotiations with his Iranian counterpart, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, on the margins of the Munich Security Conference. After the bilateral meeting, Zarif told conference attendees Tehran realizes it is at a “historical crossroads” with Western countries. “I think the opportunity is there, and I think we need to seize it,” he said.Talks on a comprehensive agreement between Iran and the world's six major powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States-- are slated to resume in Vienna on February 18.
            The following is a statement from a senior State Department official on the Kerry-Zarif meeting.

            Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Zarif met on the margins of the Munich Security Conference this morning.

            They discussed the upcoming negotiations with the P5+1 and the EU on a comprehensive agreement that will begin in Vienna next month.  Secretary Kerry reiterated the importance of both sides negotiating in good faith and Iran abiding by its commitments under the Joint Plan of Action.  He also made clear that the United States will continue to enforce existing sanctions.

            Secretary Kerry pressed for the Iranians to work cooperatively with us in our efforts to help United States citizens Robert Levinson, Amir Hekmati, and Saeed Abedini to return to their families.