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Israel says Iran nuclear deal would be historic mistake Iran says Geneva nuclear deal possible on Friday
(35 minutes later)
Israel's prime minister has said a nuclear deal being hammered out between Iran and world powers in Geneva would be a "historic" mistake. The Iranian foreign minister has said he believes an agreement with world powers on Iran's nuclear programme is possible by the end of talks on Friday.
Benjamin Netanyahu warned of easing sanctions in return for concessions "that are not concessions at all". Mohammad Zarif told CNN that Iran would not suspend uranium enrichment completely but could "deal with the various issues on the table".
The US has confirmed some sanctions relief is being offered in return for "concrete, verifiable measures" to address international concerns. The foreign powers did not comment on the progress of the talks in Geneva.
But the "core sanctions architecture" would remain, the White House said. But the US confirmed some sanctions relief was being offered in return for "concrete, verifiable measures"
Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said a nuclear deal would be a "historic" mistake, accusing Iran of only offering fake concessions.
The five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany (P5+1) opened two days of talks with Iran on Thursday.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.
'They accepted' 'End game'
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. Mr Zarif said the sides could sit down by Friday morning to prepare "some sort of a joint statement" that would address three elements: a common objective, an "end game... in less than a year'' and mutual confidence-building measures.
"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. He has talked of a "three-phase plan" previously.
"This proposal would allow Iran to retain the capability to make nuclear weapons. Iran's lead negotiator, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, said the world powers had "clearly" accepted his country's proposed framework and were now discussing details.
"Israel totally opposes these proposals. I believe that adopting them would be a mistake of historic proportions. They must be rejected outright." However, there was no official confirmation from the P5+1 - the US, Russia, China, the UK, France and Germany.
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".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".
The broader sanctions regime would be maintained until there was a "final, comprehensive, verifiable" agreement that resolved international concerns, he said.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.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.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.
"Anything else will make a peaceful solution less likely. Israel always reserves the right to defend itself, by itself, against any threat."
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.
Israeli warning
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.
"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.
"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."
Mr Netanyahu said economic sanctions had brought the Iranian economy to the "edge of the abyss" and the P5+1 could "compel Iran to fully dismantle its nuclear weapons programme".
"Anything else will make a peaceful solution less likely. Israel always reserves the right to defend itself, by itself, against any threat," Israel's prime minister said.