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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 have been held 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 met Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. | US Secretary of State John Kerry met Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. |
Diplomats from the P5+1 group - 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. | They agreed to hold substantive talks on the issue in the Swiss city of Geneva, beginning on 15 October. |
Following the meeting, Mr Kerry said he was pleased that Mr Zarif "put possibilities on the table", but said a lot of work remained to be done and that Iran would have to answer questions about its nuclear programme. | |
"One meeting and a change in tone, which was welcome, doesn't answer those questions yet," he said. | |
'Nothing but peaceful' | |
Mr Zarif called the talks "constructive" and said the diplomats had made progress on resolving international issues in a manner that respected the rights of the Iranian people. | Mr Zarif called the talks "constructive" and said the diplomats had made progress on resolving international issues in a manner that respected the rights of the Iranian people. |
"I am satisfied with this first step," he said. "Now we have to see whether we can match our positive words with serious deeds so we can move forward." | |
Mr Zarif insisted Iran's nuclear programme was "nothing but peaceful" and pledged to prove it to the international community. | |
The Iranian foreign minister called sanctions against Iran "counterproductive" and added he hoped all bilateral, unilateral and multilateral sanctions would be lifted in the near future. | |
Likewise, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said afterwards the tone and spirit of the meeting were "extremely good". | Likewise, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said afterwards the tone and spirit of the meeting were "extremely good". |
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 on sanctions until the Iranians take concrete steps to reassure the world they are not seeking nuclear weapons. | |
Iran reaches out | Iran 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. |
On Tuesday, Mr Rouhani told the General Assembly that he was prepared to engage in "time-bound and results-oriented" talks. | On Tuesday, Mr Rouhani told the 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. |
US President Barack 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. |