Six-power nuclear talks resume under Crimea cloud

The P5+1 and Iran meet in Vienna Tuesday to continue discussions on a final and comprehensive solution of the Iranian nuclear issue the day after the US and EU clamped down sanctions on a third participant, Russia, over Crimea. This round is meant to build on the Geneva interim deal which took effect in January.

The talks’ climate are not lightened by Iran’s foreign minister Javad Zarif cancelling a planned dinner with EU foreign policy executive Catherine Ashton. She is being snubbed for holding meetings with opposition activists during her visit to Iran earlier this month.