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Israel says Iran nuclear deal would be 'historic mistake' Israel says Iran nuclear deal would be historic mistake
(about 3 hours later)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a nuclear deal being hammered out between Iran and world powers in Geneva would be a "historic" mistake. Israel's prime minister has said a nuclear deal being hammered out between Iran and world powers in Geneva would be a "historic" mistake.
He warned against easing sanctions on Iran in return for concessions "that are not concessions at all". Benjamin Netanyahu warned of easing sanctions in return for concessions "that are not concessions at all".
Both sides in Geneva expressed cautious optimism as talks got under way. The US has confirmed some sanctions relief is being offered in return for "concrete, verifiable measures" to address international concerns.
But the "core sanctions architecture" would remain, the White House said.
The five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany (P5+1) opened two days of talks with Iran on Thursday.
Iran's lead negotiator, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, said they had "clearly" accepted his country's proposed framework and were now discussing details.
There was no immediate comment on his assertion by the other five states.
The West suspects Iran's uranium enrichment programme is a step towards building nuclear weapons.The West suspects Iran's uranium enrichment programme is a step towards building nuclear weapons.
Tehran says its nuclear programme is purely for peaceful ends. 'They accepted'
The five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany (P5+1) are expected to demand that Iran immediately stop development of its nuclear programme, in exchange for a limited lifting of sanctions. Speaking at a conference in Jerusalem before the talks began, Mr Netanyahu said the proposals would allow Iran to retain the capabilities to make nuclear weapons.
But Mr Netanyahu told a conference in Jerusalem that the proposals would allow Iran to retain the capabilities to make nuclear weapons. "Israel understands that there are proposals on the table in Geneva today that would ease the pressure on Iran for concessions that are not concessions at all," he said.
"Israel understands that there are proposals on the table in Geneva today that would ease the pressure on Iran for concessions that are not concessions at all. This proposal would allow Iran to retain the capabilities to make nuclear weapons," he said. "This proposal would allow Iran to retain the capability to make nuclear weapons.
"Israel totally opposes these proposals. I believe that adopting them would be a mistake of historic proportions. They must be rejected outright.""Israel totally opposes these proposals. I believe that adopting them would be a mistake of historic proportions. They must be rejected outright."
Hopes of a long-awaited deal on curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions have been given fresh momentum by the election of new President Hassan Rouhani, seen as a relative moderate. In Washington, White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters that the six powers "would consider limited, targeted, and reversible relief that does not affect our core sanctions architecture".
But Mr Netanyahu said crippling economic sanctions must not be eased before Iran's nuclear military abilities were abolished. The broader sanctions regime would be maintained until there was a "final, comprehensive, verifiable" agreement that resolved international concerns, he said.
If Iran failed to show progress on its nuclear programme, the "moderate" sanctions relief could be reversed, and stiffer sanctions could be imposed, he added.
Hopes of a long-awaited deal on curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions were given fresh momentum this year by the election of President Hassan Rouhani, seen as a relative moderate.
Mr Araqchi was quoted by Iranian state media as saying that the negotiations in Geneva were "very difficult" but he expected agreement on details by Friday, the last scheduled day of the talks.
"The other side accepted Iran's proposed framework, the first step, the last step and the steps in between, and now we have to discuss the details of these steps," he said.
He gave no details himself but it is believed Iran is tabling a three-phase plan to build confidence.
Mr Netanyahu said crippling economic sanctions must not be eased before Iran's nuclear military abilities were abolished.
"The sanctions regime has brought the Iranian economy to the edge of the abyss, and the P5+1 can compel Iran to fully dismantle its nuclear weapons programme," he said."The sanctions regime has brought the Iranian economy to the edge of the abyss, and the P5+1 can compel Iran to fully dismantle its nuclear weapons programme," he said.
"Anything else will make a peaceful solution less likely. Israel always reserves the right to defend itself, by itself, against any threat.""Anything else will make a peaceful solution less likely. Israel always reserves the right to defend itself, by itself, against any threat."
In comments broadcast on Iranian TV on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the nuclear issue was "not insoluble", adding it was his government's policy to "refrain from seeking nuclear weapons".
Ahead of the talks, he met EU foreign policy envoy Baroness Ashton for a working breakfast.
Her spokesman described it as a good meeting, while Reuters quoted Mr Zarif as saying an agreement was within reach.
Following exploratory talks last month, international negotiators said they were considering an Iranian proposal. No details have been released.
Ahead of the meetings, a senior US administration official told reporters that Washington wanted Tehran to agree on a "first step" to stop advancing its programme further.
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the US was hoping for "an initial understanding that stops Iran's nuclear programme from moving forward and rolls it back for the first time in decades".
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. Iran wants the sanctions lifted.Separate US and EU sanctions have targeted Iran's energy and banking sectors, crippling its oil-based economy. Iran wants the sanctions lifted.