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| Iran nuclear talks resume in Geneva amid 'optimism' | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| World powers and Iran have resumed talks on Tehran's nuclear programme, after negotiators expressed "cautious optimism" on the first day of meetings. | |
| Iran says its proposal at the two-day summit in Geneva has the "capacity to make a breakthrough". But details are being kept confidential for now. | Iran says its proposal at the two-day summit in Geneva has the "capacity to make a breakthrough". But details are being kept confidential for now. |
| These are the first talks since Hassan Rouhani - seen as a relative moderate - became Iran's president in August. | These are the first talks since Hassan Rouhani - seen as a relative moderate - became Iran's president in August. |
| The West suspects Tehran of seeking to build nuclear bombs. Iran denies this. | The West suspects Tehran of seeking to build nuclear bombs. Iran denies this. |
| 'Good exchange' | 'Good exchange' |
| The discussions in Geneva bring together Iranian officials and representatives of the "P5+1 group", made up of Britain, China, France, Russia and the US plus Germany. | The discussions in Geneva bring together Iranian officials and representatives of the "P5+1 group", made up of Britain, China, France, Russia and the US plus Germany. |
| Speaking on the first day of talks on Tuesday, Michael Mann, a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, said there was a sense of "cautious optimism" and that "for the first time, very detailed technical discussions" took place. | Speaking on the first day of talks on Tuesday, Michael Mann, a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, said there was a sense of "cautious optimism" and that "for the first time, very detailed technical discussions" took place. |
| Iran gave an hour-long PowerPoint presentation in English. | Iran gave an hour-long PowerPoint presentation in English. |
| The Iranian team is led by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, although much of the actual negotiating is said to have been delegated to his deputy, Abbas Araqchi. | The Iranian team is led by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, although much of the actual negotiating is said to have been delegated to his deputy, Abbas Araqchi. |
| Mr Araqchi said the world powers had been receptive to the Iranian plans, adding that the first day "went well". | Mr Araqchi said the world powers had been receptive to the Iranian plans, adding that the first day "went well". |
| "We had very constructive, very good exchange of views, very serious." | "We had very constructive, very good exchange of views, very serious." |
| Late on Tuesday, Mr Araqchi held bilateral talks with US Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. | Late on Tuesday, Mr Araqchi held bilateral talks with US Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. |
| The Iranian state-run Irinn news channel said Tehran was offering to reduce its level of uranium enrichment - a key UN demand. | The Iranian state-run Irinn news channel said Tehran was offering to reduce its level of uranium enrichment - a key UN demand. |
| Before the talks, Mr Zarif expressed hopes that "by Wednesday we can reach agreement on a roadmap to find a path towards resolution". | Before the talks, Mr Zarif expressed hopes that "by Wednesday we can reach agreement on a roadmap to find a path towards resolution". |
| International negotiators 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. | International negotiators 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 international sanctions which have been imposed in recent years. | In return, they promise to lift some of 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. |
| Uranium pledge | Uranium pledge |
| 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. | 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. |
| They also want Iran to send some of its stockpiles abroad, and shut down the Fordo production site near the city of Qom, where most of the higher-grade enrichment work is done. | They also want Iran to send some of its stockpiles abroad, and shut down the Fordo production site near the city of 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 EU sanctions have targeted Iran's energy and banking sectors, crippling its oil-based economy. | Separate US and EU sanctions have targeted Iran's energy and banking sectors, crippling its oil-based economy. |
| Iran wants the sanctions lifted. | Iran wants the sanctions lifted. |
| Mr Araqchi insisted earlier there could be no question of Iran relinquishing its stockpiles of enriched uranium. | Mr Araqchi insisted earlier 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 was quoted as saying by Iranian media. | "We will not allow even a gram of uranium to go out of the country," he was quoted as saying by Iranian media. |