Allies fear rushed US-Iran deal could trigger deadlock

PARIS, Apr 19: European allies fear an inexperienced US negotiating team is pushing for a swift, headline grabbing framework deal with Iran that could entrench rather than resolve deeper problems, diplomats with past experience dealing with Tehran said.

They worry Washington, eager to claim a diplomatic win for President Donald Trump, could lock in a superficial agreement on Iran's nuclear programme and sanctions relief, then struggle through months or years of technically complex follow on talks.

"The concern isn't that there won't be an agreement," said a senior European diplomat, one of eight who spoke to Reuters who have previously worked on the nuclear file or continue to do so. "It's that there will be a bad initial agreement that creates endless downstream problems."

Responding to a series of questions from Reuters, ranging from negotiating style and team to objectives and the potential dangers of a quick deal, the White House rejected the criticism.

AFP adds, the Strait of Hormuz remained closed on Sunday in the stand-off between Iran and the United States, with Iran's powerful speaker of parliament signalling a final peace deal was "far" off despite movement in negotiations.

As mediation efforts continued following high-level talks in Pakistan that failed to reach a deal, Iran said it would not reopen the crucial maritime trade route until the United States ended its blockade of Iranian ports.

Mohammad BagherGhalibaf, speaker of the Iranian parliament, said in a televised address on Saturday night that there had been "progress" with Washington "but there are many gaps and some fundamental points remain".

"We are still far from the final discussion," said Ghalibaf, one of Tehran's senior negotiators in the talks aimed at ending the war launched by Israel and the United States against the Islamic republic.    �"REUTERS, AFP