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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Iran says Geneva nuclear deal possible on Friday | Iran says Geneva nuclear deal possible on Friday |
| (4 days later) | |
| 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. | 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. |
| Mohammad Zarif told CNN that Iran would not suspend uranium enrichment completely but could "deal with the various issues on the table". | Mohammad Zarif told CNN that Iran would not suspend uranium enrichment completely but could "deal with the various issues on the table". |
| The foreign powers did not comment on the progress of the talks in Geneva. | The foreign powers did not comment on the progress of the talks in Geneva. |
| US Secretary of State John Kerry, currently on a tour of the Middle East, is due to attend discussions on Friday. | US Secretary of State John Kerry, currently on a tour of the Middle East, is due to attend discussions on Friday. |
| The BBC's Kim Ghattas, who is travelling with Mr Kerry, says his dramatic decision to change his travel plans and go to Geneva is a clear sign that a deal with Iran may be within reach. | The BBC's Kim Ghattas, who is travelling with Mr Kerry, says his dramatic decision to change his travel plans and go to Geneva is a clear sign that a deal with Iran may be within reach. |
| On Thursday, the US confirmed some sanctions relief was being offered in return for "concrete, verifiable measures". | On Thursday, the US confirmed some sanctions relief was being offered in return for "concrete, verifiable measures". |
| Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said such a 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. |
| 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. |
| 'End game' | 'End game' |
| 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. | 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. |
| He has talked of a "three-phase plan" previously. | He has talked of a "three-phase plan" previously. |
| 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. | 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. |
| However, there was no official confirmation from the P5+1 - the US, Russia, China, the UK, France and Germany. | 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. |
| 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 | 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. | 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. | "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. | "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." |
| 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". | 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. | "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. |