Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif addresses a news conference following nuclear negotiations with European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who is leading talks with Iran on behalf of the six world powers. (File photo: Reuters)
Iran boosts its team in charge of nuclear talks
The new additions are likely hard-liners, including critics of the interim nuclear deal
Iran has boosted its team in charge of nuclear negotiations with world powers, adding new members to a high council that directs strategies in the talks.
Wednesday's development comes a day after Iran and Western negotiators reported they were nearing an understanding on the details of implementing the landmark interim nuclear accord reached in Geneva in November.
The semiofficial Mehr and Fars news agencies say representatives of all branches of power and other groups are now on the council, but didn't elaborate.
The new additions are likely hard-liners, reflecting attempts to include critics of the deal in the negotiations.
President Hassan Rowhani has faced criticism from hard-liners over the Geneva deal. They claimed the contents of the talks were kept secret and that they were excluded from the process.
