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Iran nuclear: 'Shift in Tehran tone' hailed at UN | Iran nuclear: 'Shift in Tehran tone' hailed at UN |
(about 1 hour later) | |
US and European allies have welcomed what they called a "significant shift" in Iran's attitude to its nuclear programme, after high-level UN talks. | US and European allies have welcomed what they called a "significant shift" in Iran's attitude to its nuclear programme, after high-level UN talks. |
US Secretary of State John Kerry said after meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif he was struck by the "very different tone". | US Secretary of State John Kerry said after meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif he was struck by the "very different tone". |
But Mr Kerry said Iran still had questions to answer. | But Mr Kerry said Iran still had questions to answer. |
Substantive talks with Iran on its nuclear programme are due to take place in Geneva from 15 October. | Substantive talks with Iran on its nuclear programme are due to take place in Geneva from 15 October. |
They will involve the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the US, Russia, Britain, France and China - along with Germany, known as the P5+1. | They will involve the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the US, Russia, Britain, France and China - along with Germany, known as the P5+1. |
The US-Iran meeting in New York represented the highest-level direct contact between the countries in six years. Diplomats from the P5+1 were also present. | The US-Iran meeting in New York represented the highest-level direct contact between the countries in six years. Diplomats from the P5+1 were also present. |
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. | 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. | "One meeting and a change in tone, which was welcome, doesn't answer those questions yet," he said. |
'Nothing but peaceful' | '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." | "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. | 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. | 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". |
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said there was an agreement to "go forward with an ambitious timeframe". | European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said there was an agreement to "go forward with an ambitious timeframe". |
However, Iran's new envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Reza Najafi, expressed caution on Friday, saying: "This is the first meeting, so nobody I guess should expect that in just one day we can solve our problems." | |
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. | 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. | Iran has been negotiating over the nuclear issue since 2006 with the P5+1. |
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. |
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. |