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Iran nuclear talks to enter third day after 'progress' Iran nuclear talks: We must 'seize moment', says Hague
(about 3 hours later)
Talks between Iran and world powers on Tehran's nuclear programme are to enter an unscheduled third day in Geneva. UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has urged negotiators to "seize the moment", as talks in Geneva over Iran's nuclear plan enter a third day.
A US State Department official said at the end of Friday's talks that "we continued to make progress as we worked to narrow the gaps". Mr Hague hailed "good progress" but said there was still uncertainly about whether a deal could be reached.
But French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius warned on French radio that there was "no certainty" of a deal. Under a possible deal, Iran could freeze expansion of nuclear activity for limited sanctions relief.
Under a deal being floated, Iran could freeze expansion of its nuclear activity for limited sanctions relief. UK, French and German foreign ministers have joined US Secretary of State John Kerry for the unscheduled talks.
"There is more work to do," the US official told reporters after talks ended late on Friday evening. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are also expected to attend on Saturday.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi echoed that sentiment, saying: "It was productive but still we have lots of work to do." For the first time in years, talks about Iran's nuclear programme are moving fast, the BBC's James Reynolds reports from Geneva.
The negotiations have also picked up new, critical purpose, he says - a chance for the US and Iran to explore an end to their three decades of mistrust.
'No certainty'
Mr Hague said that momentum had built up in the negotiations and there was a very different atmosphere from that of just a few months ago.
"There is now a real concentration on these negotiations so we have to do everything we can to seize the moment and seize the opportunity to reach a deal that has eluded the world," he said.
But he added that it was too early to say whether the talks would reach a successful conclusion.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius also said there was "no certainty" of a deal.
One sticking point was whether Iran should suspend operations at its Arak research reactor - a possible producer of weapons-grade plutonium - during negotiations, Mr Fabius said, quoted by Reuters news agency.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said of the talks on Friday: "It was productive but still we have lots of work to do."
US Secretary of State John Kerry had met his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif and top EU diplomat Catherine Ashton for five hours on Friday evening.US Secretary of State John Kerry had met his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif and top EU diplomat Catherine Ashton for five hours on Friday evening.
Mr Kerry, who interrupted the itinerary of his tour to the Middle East and North Africa to join the talks, had earlier said that there were still "important gaps" between Iran and world powers.Mr Kerry, who interrupted the itinerary of his tour to the Middle East and North Africa to join the talks, had earlier said that there were still "important gaps" between Iran and world powers.
The West has suspected Iran's uranium enrichment programme is a step towards building nuclear weapons - a charge Iran strongly denies.The West has suspected Iran's uranium enrichment programme is a step towards building nuclear weapons - a charge Iran strongly denies.
UK, French and German foreign ministers have also joined the unscheduled talks with Iranian representatives in Geneva. Israeli rejection
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and a senior Chinese diplomat are expected to join the talks on Saturday.
Ending mistrust
For the first time in years, talks about Iran's nuclear programme are moving fast, the BBC's James Reynolds reports from Geneva.
The negotiations have also picked up new, critical purpose, he says - a chance for the US and Iran to explore an end to their three decades of mistrust.
However, although the sides appear closer to a breakthrough than during previous talks, the outcome remains uncertain.
The Geneva talks involve the P5+1: the US, Russia, Britain, France and China as permanent UN Security Council members, plus Germany.The Geneva talks involve the P5+1: the US, Russia, Britain, France and China as permanent UN Security Council members, plus Germany.
The French, German and UK Foreign Ministers - Laurent Fabius, Guido Westerwelle and William Hague - are also in Geneva.
Friday prayer leaders across Iran urged the public to support the country's nuclear delegation as it negotiated "from a position of strength and with dignity".Friday prayer leaders across Iran urged the public to support the country's nuclear delegation as it negotiated "from a position of strength and with dignity".
Mr Zarif said on Friday there was "the general outline of an agreement".Mr Zarif said on Friday there was "the general outline of an agreement".
Although details of the suggested deal have not been disclosed, it is thought to offer Iran a gradual easing of sanctions in return for a freeze on expansion of nuclear activities.Although details of the suggested deal have not been disclosed, it is thought to offer Iran a gradual easing of sanctions in return for a freeze on expansion of nuclear activities.
Israeli rejection
Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday to allay fears about any deal.Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday to allay fears about any deal.
A White House statement said Mr Obama had updated the Israeli leader on the talks in Geneva, and repeated his commitment to stopping Tehran getting a nuclear weapon.A White House statement said Mr Obama had updated the Israeli leader on the talks in Geneva, and repeated his commitment to stopping Tehran getting a nuclear weapon.
Mr Netanyahu had earlier said he "utterly rejected" such a deal with Iran, its long-time enemy, and that his country would not be obliged to abide by it.Mr Netanyahu had earlier said he "utterly rejected" such a deal with Iran, its long-time enemy, and that his country would not be obliged to abide by it.
The Israeli prime minister argued the Iranians were getting sanctions relief while "not reducing in any way their nuclear enrichment capability".The Israeli prime minister argued the Iranians were getting sanctions relief while "not reducing in any way their nuclear enrichment capability".
Israel, Mr Netanyahu said, would do "everything it needs to do to defend itself and the security of its people".Israel, Mr Netanyahu said, would do "everything it needs to do to defend itself and the security of its people".
Defence analysts have speculated the Israelis may take military action to disrupt Iran's programme.Defence analysts have speculated the Israelis may take military action to disrupt Iran's programme.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that any criticism of a deal was "premature".White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that any criticism of a deal was "premature".
"There is no deal, but there is an opportunity here for a possible diplomatic solution, and that is exactly what [President Obama] is pursuing," he said."There is no deal, but there is an opportunity here for a possible diplomatic solution, and that is exactly what [President Obama] is pursuing," he said.
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.
The head of the UN atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano, is travelling to Tehran on Monday to meet senior Iranian figures.The head of the UN atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano, is travelling to Tehran on Monday to meet senior Iranian figures.