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Iran nuclear stand-off: Geneva talks begin Iran nuclear talks under way in Geneva
(35 minutes later)
World powers have begun their first nuclear negotiations with Iran since Hassan Rouhani became the country's president in August.World powers have begun their first nuclear negotiations with Iran since Hassan Rouhani became the country's president in August.
Seen as a relative moderate, Mr Rouhani has said he wants a deal on Iran's nuclear programme within six months.Seen as a relative moderate, Mr Rouhani has said he wants a deal on Iran's nuclear programme within six months.
No breakthrough is expected in the initial two days of talks in Geneva, but Iran's foreign minister said he hoped a "roadmap" could be agreed.No breakthrough is expected in the initial two days of talks in Geneva, but Iran's foreign minister said he hoped a "roadmap" could be agreed.
The West suspects Iran of seeking a nuclear arms capability.The West suspects Iran of seeking a nuclear arms capability.
Tehran denies the claim, saying its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.Tehran denies the claim, saying its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.
Ahead of the talks, Israel warned that it would be a "historic mistake" to ease pressure on Iran.
'Resolution path''Resolution path'
Iran will hold discussions with representatives of the so-called P5+1 group, made up of Britain, China, France, Russia and the US plus Germany. Iran is holding discussions with representatives of the so-called P5+1 group, made up of Britain, China, France, Russia and the US plus Germany.
EU spokesman Michael Mann said they were taking place in a "positive atmosphere".
He said the P+5 group was looking forward to discussing Iran's latest proposal and expressed "cautious optimism".
The Iranian team is led by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, although much of the actual negotiating is expected to be delegated to his deputy, Abbas Araqchi.The Iranian team is led by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, although much of the actual negotiating is expected to be delegated to his deputy, Abbas Araqchi.
"Tomorrow is the start of a difficult and relatively time-consuming way forward," Mr Zarif posted on his Facebook page. "Tomorrow [Monday] is the start of a difficult and relatively time-consuming way forward," Mr Zarif posted on his Facebook page.
"I am hopeful that by Wednesday we can reach agreement on a roadmap to find a path towards resolution.""I am hopeful that by Wednesday we can reach agreement on a roadmap to find a path towards resolution."
These are the first such talks since President Rouhani took office in August, and this has raised hopes that a deal can be reached.These are the first such talks since President Rouhani took office in August, and this has raised hopes that a deal can be reached.
International negotiators say they are open to hearing Tehran's ideas. International negotiators say they want Tehran to take specific steps to prevent it from ever being able to make nuclear weapons, the BBC's James Reynolds in Geneva reports.
They want Tehran to take specific steps to prevent it from ever being able to make nuclear weapons, the BBC's James Reynolds in Geneva reports.
In return, they promise to lift some of the international sanctions which have been imposed in recent years.In return, they promise to lift some of the international sanctions which have been imposed in recent years.
However, the West has hinted that it will be difficult to clinch a deal in just two days of talks.However, the West has hinted that it will be difficult to clinch a deal in just two days of talks.
"No-one should expect a breakthrough overnight," said a senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity."No-one should expect a breakthrough overnight," said a senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Uranium pledgeUranium pledge
Western nations believe Iran's uranium enrichment programme is covertly meant to achieve a nuclear arms capability. Western nations have demanded that Iran halt the production and stockpiling of uranium enriched to 20% - a step away from achieving a nuclear weapons capability.
Tehran says it only wants to master nuclear technology to generate electricity and carry out medical research. They also want Iran to send some of its stockpiles abroad, and shut down the Fordo production site, near Qom, where most of the higher-grade enrichment work is done.
Since 2006 the UN Security Council has imposed a series of sanctions - including asset freezes and travel bans - on entities and people involved in Iran's nuclear programme.Since 2006 the UN Security Council has imposed a series of sanctions - including asset freezes and travel bans - on entities and people involved in Iran's nuclear programme.
Separate US and the European Union sanctions have targeted Iran's energy and banking sectors, crippling its oil-based economy.Separate US and the European Union sanctions have targeted Iran's energy and banking sectors, crippling its oil-based economy.
Tehran has been negotiating with the P5+1 group and wants the sanctions lifted. Tehran wants the sanctions lifted.
Western negotiators have demanded that Iran halt the production and stockpiling of uranium enriched to 20% - a step away from achieving a nuclear weapons capability. Mr Araqchi insisted on Sunday that there could be no question of Iran relinquishing its stockpiles of enriched uranium.
They also want Iran to send some of its stockpiles abroad, and shut down the Fordo production site near Qom where most of the higher-grade enrichment work is done.
But Mr Araqchi insisted on Sunday that there could be no question of Iran relinquishing its stockpiles of enriched uranium.
"We will not allow even a gram of uranium to go out of the country," he said, quoted on the website of Iranian state TV."We will not allow even a gram of uranium to go out of the country," he said, quoted on the website of Iranian state TV.
Israeli warningIsraeli warning
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it would be wrong to ease pressure on Tehran.On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it would be wrong to ease pressure on Tehran.
Speaking in parliament, he said that any move to let up on the Iranian government would only strengthen its "uncompromising elements", and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "will be perceived as the winner".Speaking in parliament, he said that any move to let up on the Iranian government would only strengthen its "uncompromising elements", and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "will be perceived as the winner".
In reference to the current international sanctions against Iran, he said it would be "a historical mistake to lift the sanctions, just before they are really effective".In reference to the current international sanctions against Iran, he said it would be "a historical mistake to lift the sanctions, just before they are really effective".
But in the US - which has also shown a tough stance against lifting sanctions on Iran - nine leading senators said they were open to the idea of suspending new sanctions if Tehran took significant steps to slow its nuclear programme.But in the US - which has also shown a tough stance against lifting sanctions on Iran - nine leading senators said they were open to the idea of suspending new sanctions if Tehran took significant steps to slow its nuclear programme.
In a letter to President Barack Obama, the senators emphasised that, in the meantime, the threat of military force should remain.In a letter to President Barack Obama, the senators emphasised that, in the meantime, the threat of military force should remain.