Kerry was released Friday from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston following surgery for injuries suffered in a May 31 bicycle accident in France,
He left the hospital on crutches after speaking with reporters.
“Our team is in Vienna right now working out very complex … details of this agreement,” Kerry said
“It’s a tough slog . . . it’s not easy,” he said.
Kerry, an avid cyclist, was hurt May 31 in the midst of intense negotiations with Iran on its nuclear disengagement and talks with U.S. allies on the Islamic State terrorist group marauding through Iraq and Syria.
Diplomats have pledged to reach an agreement by June 30 that is expected to reveal the extent of Iran’s nuclear weapons research and allow United Nations experts to inspect Tehran’s research facilities.
But during a planned break, Kerry, 71, was riding with his entourage when he struck a curb and fell on a Tour de France route outside Geneva.
He was flown to a hospital in the Swiss capital where X-rays revealed a break in his right femur, and then was flown back to Massachusetts for surgery with his regular doctor.
Kerry represented Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate for 28 years before replacing Hillary Clinton as secretary of state under U.S. President Barack Obama in 2013.
Kerry said he had been speaking with Obama and other top U.S. officials about efforts under way to help Iraq resist advances by the Islamic State group, which controls large amounts of territory in that country and in wartorn Syria.
“We are making some critical decisions that are going to move the process forward in Iraq,” Kerry said.
“Prime Minister (Haider) al-Abadi has a plan — we support the plan and were part of the plan,” he said.
Kerry said he has been working the phones and spoke with Obama and top administration officials on Thursday about issues including efforts to help Iraq stop advances by the Islamic State group.
“We are making some critical decisions that are going to move the process forward in Iraq,” he said.
“Prime Minister (Haider) al-Abadi has a plan , , , we support the plan and were part of the plan,” he said.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters that Kerry was released so quickly from the hospital, on crutches, because he was so determined to get back to work.
Not that he didn’t enjoy the days off.
“The truth is he probably benefited from a little rest when he was in the hospital,” Earnest said.
Kerry told reporters he expects to return to cycling as soon as he is sufficiently recovered from his injury.
