This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24877014

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Iran nuclear talks: We must 'seize moment', says Hague Iran nuclear talks: We must 'seize moment', says Hague
(about 2 hours later)
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague urged negotiators to "seize the moment", on a third, unscheduled day of talks on Iran's nuclear programme.UK Foreign Secretary William Hague urged negotiators to "seize the moment", on a third, unscheduled day of talks on Iran's nuclear programme.
Mr Hague hailed "good progress" in Geneva but said there was uncertainty about whether a deal could be reached.Mr Hague hailed "good progress" in Geneva but said there was uncertainty about whether a deal could be reached.
An Iranian official said if a deal was not reached on Saturday, outstanding issues would carry over to a new round.An Iranian official said if a deal was not reached on Saturday, outstanding issues would carry over to a new round.
Under a possible deal, Iran could freeze expansion of nuclear activity for limited sanctions relief.Under a possible deal, Iran could freeze expansion of nuclear activity for limited sanctions relief.
UK, French and German foreign ministers have joined their US and EU counterparts for the talks. The Geneva talks involve Iran and the P5+1: the US, Russia, Britain, France and China as permanent UN Security Council members, plus Germany.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi were also expected to attend on Saturday. All are represented by their foreign ministers.
Michael Mann, a spokesman for top EU diplomat Catherine Ashton, said there had been further contacts between the delegations during the morning.Michael Mann, a spokesman for top EU diplomat Catherine Ashton, said there had been further contacts between the delegations during the morning.
"There has been clearly progress but like in all these things it's always a bit more complicated than people think, so we're working very hard and intensively to try and move things forward," he said."There has been clearly progress but like in all these things it's always a bit more complicated than people think, so we're working very hard and intensively to try and move things forward," he said.
For the first time in years, talks about Iran's nuclear programme are moving fast, the BBC's James Reynolds reports from Geneva.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.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''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.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."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.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 as there were "some points with which we are not satisfied".French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius also said there was "no certainty" of a deal as there were "some points with which we are not satisfied".
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 told French radio.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 told French radio.
Tehran was also resisting demands to downgrade its stockpile of uranium enriched to 20%.Tehran was also resisting demands to downgrade its stockpile of uranium enriched to 20%.
"How can we bring that stock down to 5%, which is a lot less dangerous?" the French foreign minister asked."How can we bring that stock down to 5%, which is a lot less dangerous?" the French foreign minister asked.
While he wanted a deal, it would be impossible if such questions were not sorted out and France would not be part of a "fools' game", he added. Iranian media cited "splits" in the world powers.
"French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has obstructed the reaching of a deal," said Tabnak news agency, while Isna news agency quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying there were "differences of opinion" among the P5+1.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who is at the negotiations, said Tehran and the world powers remained divided.Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who is at the negotiations, said Tehran and the world powers remained divided.
"There is greater agreement on some issues and less agreement on other issues," he said.
"The negotiations will not go on tomorrow. Either they end tonight or there is another round.""The negotiations will not go on tomorrow. Either they end tonight or there is another round."
US Secretary of State John Kerry had met his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif and Lady Ashton for five hours on Friday evening.US Secretary of State John Kerry had met his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif and Lady 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.
Israeli rejection
The Geneva talks involve the P5+1: the US, Russia, Britain, France and China as permanent UN Security Council members, plus Germany.
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".
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.
Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday to allay fears about any deal. The West suspects Iran's uranium enrichment programme is a step towards building nuclear weapons - a charge Iran strongly denies.
Israeli fury
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".
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".
"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.