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Iran nuclear: Kerry and Zarif meet at the UN Iran nuclear: Kerry and Zarif meet at the UN
(35 minutes later)
The highest-level talks on Iran's nuclear programme for at least six years are taking place at the United Nations in New York. The highest-level talks on Iran's nuclear programme for at least six years have been held at the United Nations in New York.
US Secretary of State John Kerry is meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. US Secretary of State John Kerry met Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Diplomats from China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany are also there. Diplomats from China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany were also present at the talks.
They agreed to hold substantive talks on the issue in the Swiss city of Geneva, beginning on 15 October.
The tone and spirit of the meeting was "extremely good," British Foreign Secretary William Hague said afterwards.
New Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said he wants to reach a deal on the nuclear dispute in three to six months.New Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said he wants to reach a deal on the nuclear dispute in three to six months.
But the Americans have said there will be no major concessions until the Iranians take concrete steps to reassure the world they are not seeking nuclear weapons.But the Americans have said there will be no major concessions until the Iranians take concrete steps to reassure the world they are not seeking nuclear weapons.
Iran reaches outIran reaches out
Earlier, President Rouhani told the UN General Assembly that no country should possess nuclear arms.Earlier, President Rouhani told the UN General Assembly that no country should possess nuclear arms.
Iran has been negotiating over the nuclear issue since 2006 with the P5+1 - the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany.Iran has been negotiating over the nuclear issue since 2006 with the P5+1 - the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany.
Since Mr Rouhani's election in June, Iranian officials have reached out to the West, saying they want to address concerns over Iran's nuclear programme.Since Mr Rouhani's election in June, Iranian officials have reached out to the West, saying they want to address concerns over Iran's nuclear programme.
"We're not expecting any breakthrough in this initial meeting,'' said White House spokesman Jay Carney ahead of the talks. On Tuesday, Mr Rouhani told the General Assembly that he was prepared to engage in "time-bound and results-oriented" talks.
"But this is part of us testing the seriousness of the Iranians, who are obviously engaging in new overtures and showing new interest in trying to solve this very serious matter."
On Tuesday, Mr Rouhani told the UN General Assembly that he was prepared to engage in "time-bound and results-oriented" talks.
On Thursday, he called for stricter controls on nuclear weapons as part of a global effort to eventually rid the world of them.On Thursday, he called for stricter controls on nuclear weapons as part of a global effort to eventually rid the world of them.
"No nation should possess nuclear weapons, since there are no right hands for these wrong weapons," he said, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement at the General Assembly."No nation should possess nuclear weapons, since there are no right hands for these wrong weapons," he said, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement at the General Assembly.
'Moderate course''Moderate course'
The P5+1 have asked Iran to halt production and stockpiling of uranium enriched to 20% - a step away from achieving a nuclear weapons capability.The P5+1 have asked Iran to halt production and stockpiling of uranium enriched to 20% - a step away from achieving a nuclear weapons capability.
They also demanded Iran shut down the Fordo underground enrichment facility.They also demanded Iran shut down the Fordo underground enrichment facility.
In return, they offered to ease the sanctions that have severely affected Iran's economy.In return, they offered to ease the sanctions that have severely affected Iran's economy.
President Obama has welcomed the new Iranian president's more "moderate course". US President Barack Obama has welcomed the new Iranian president's more "moderate course".
He told the UN on Tuesday that the US wanted to resolve the nuclear issue peacefully, but was determined to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.He told the UN on Tuesday that the US wanted to resolve the nuclear issue peacefully, but was determined to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
Mr Rouhani has said he is fully empowered by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei to negotiate on the issue.Mr Rouhani has said he is fully empowered by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei to negotiate on the issue.
The BBC's Bridget Kendall, who is at the UN, says President Rouhani has signalled a sharp departure from the foreign policy and the tone of his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose bombastic pronouncements at the UN in the past resulted in walk-outs.The BBC's Bridget Kendall, who is at the UN, says President Rouhani has signalled a sharp departure from the foreign policy and the tone of his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose bombastic pronouncements at the UN in the past resulted in walk-outs.