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Iran and P5+1 nuclear talks resume in Geneva | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The EU's foreign policy chief and Iran's foreign minister have resumed talks on Tehran's nuclear programme. | |
Catherine Ashton and Mohammad Javad Zarif are meeting in Geneva following what were described as "positive" discussions on Wednesday. | |
A number of sticking points remain to be resolved, with the US cautioning it will not rush into any deal. | |
A senior Iranian negotiator warned of a "lack of trust" following the inconclusive talks earlier this month. | |
Abbas Araqchi told Iranian state TV that "as long as trust is not restored, we cannot continue constructive negotiations". | |
Mr Araqchi described Iran's "right" to carry out uranium enrichment as "non-negotiable". | |
Negotiators are discussing an interim agreement which could see Tehran curb its uranium enrichment in return for the easing of some international sanctions. | |
Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, but some world powers suspect it is seeking a nuclear weapons capability. | Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, but some world powers suspect it is seeking a nuclear weapons capability. |
'Buying time' | 'Buying time' |
The Geneva talks, which are scheduled to conclude on Friday, involve Iran and representatives of the P5+1 - the US, UK, France, China and Russia, plus Germany. | The Geneva talks, which are scheduled to conclude on Friday, involve Iran and representatives of the P5+1 - the US, UK, France, China and Russia, plus Germany. |
The sides failed to agree a deal at a previous round of talks earlier this month. | The sides failed to agree a deal at a previous round of talks earlier this month. |
Initial meetings held on Wednesday were described as "positive" by a senior US official. | |
However, Secretary of State John Kerry said the US would not let any deal be used by Iran as a ploy to "buy time" to increase its nuclear capability. | However, Secretary of State John Kerry said the US would not let any deal be used by Iran as a ploy to "buy time" to increase its nuclear capability. |
Mr Kerry described the negotiations as the "best chance in a decade to halt progress and roll back Iran's programme". | Mr Kerry described the negotiations as the "best chance in a decade to halt progress and roll back Iran's programme". |
The US has said an interim agreement would see the bulk of international and US sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme remain in place. | The US has said an interim agreement would see the bulk of international and US sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme remain in place. |
The essence of the deal would involve Iran halting advances of its nuclear programme and agreeing to "more vigorous inspections" in return for "a very modest amount of relief". | The essence of the deal would involve Iran halting advances of its nuclear programme and agreeing to "more vigorous inspections" in return for "a very modest amount of relief". |
Concerns about the heavy-water reactor Iran is building at Arak was one of the factors that prevented agreement at the first round of talks. | Concerns about the heavy-water reactor Iran is building at Arak was one of the factors that prevented agreement at the first round of talks. |
Iran's insistence on formal recognition of its right to enrich uranium was another. | Iran's insistence on formal recognition of its right to enrich uranium was another. |
As talks opened on Wednesday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran would not step back "one iota" from what he said were its nuclear rights. | As talks opened on Wednesday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran would not step back "one iota" from what he said were its nuclear rights. |
Ayatollah Khamenei, who has the final say in nuclear matters, said there were "red lines" his negotiators were expected to respect. | Ayatollah Khamenei, who has the final say in nuclear matters, said there were "red lines" his negotiators were expected to respect. |