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Iran nuclear talks: Hague bids to close 'narrow gaps' | Iran nuclear talks: Hague bids to close 'narrow gaps' |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The UK's foreign secretary has said "narrow gaps" remain between Iran and the six world powers meeting in Geneva to discuss Tehran's nuclear programme. | The UK's foreign secretary has said "narrow gaps" remain between Iran and the six world powers meeting in Geneva to discuss Tehran's nuclear programme. |
Negotiators from the UK, US, Russia, China, France and Germany want Iran to stop enriching uranium in return for a loosening of sanctions. | |
Iran's deputy foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran was insisting on a "right to enrichment" in any deal. | |
William Hague said any deal with Iran reached in Geneva must be thorough. | |
Tehran denies repeated claims by Western governments that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons, and insists it must be allowed to enrich uranium for power stations. | |
Some US politicians say they will push for more sanctions if the talks fail. | Some US politicians say they will push for more sanctions if the talks fail. |
'98% agreed' | |
Negotiators have been working since Wednesday to try to find an agreement that is acceptable to both sides. | Negotiators have been working since Wednesday to try to find an agreement that is acceptable to both sides. |
The talks had been scheduled to finish on Friday but were extended. Foreign ministers from the so-called P5+1 group of nations joined on Saturday, amid hopes of a breakthrough. | |
US officials said Secretary of State John Kerry, who arrived in Geneva early on Saturday, had the goal of "continuing to help narrow the differences and move closer to an agreement". | US officials said Secretary of State John Kerry, who arrived in Geneva early on Saturday, had the goal of "continuing to help narrow the differences and move closer to an agreement". |
Mr Kerry's participation in itself does not prove a deal is at hand, but it does show that the talks may have reached a critical stage, says the BBC's James Reynolds in Geneva. | Mr Kerry's participation in itself does not prove a deal is at hand, but it does show that the talks may have reached a critical stage, says the BBC's James Reynolds in Geneva. |
Mr Hague said that a deal would be done only if it was a "truly worthwhile agreement". | Mr Hague said that a deal would be done only if it was a "truly worthwhile agreement". |
"There are narrow but important gaps, and it's very important that any agreement is thorough, detailed and it's an agreement in which the whole world can have confidence," he said. | "There are narrow but important gaps, and it's very important that any agreement is thorough, detailed and it's an agreement in which the whole world can have confidence," he said. |
Mr Araqchi said "98% of the draft" had been agreed but that Tehran wanted a "right to enrichment" to be clearly stated in any deal. | |
"We are insisting on our right to enrichment, which should be clearly recognised in the draft agreement," Mr Araqchi was quoted as telling Iranian reporters late on Saturday - the fourth day of the negotiations. | |
EU foreign policy chief Baroness Catherine Ashton is leading the conference. | EU foreign policy chief Baroness Catherine Ashton is leading the conference. |
On Friday she briefly met Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif for a conversation that Iran's official Irna news agency described as "complicated and tough". | On Friday she briefly met Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif for a conversation that Iran's official Irna news agency described as "complicated and tough". |
'Vigorous inspections' | 'Vigorous inspections' |
The Geneva meeting follows a previous round of talks earlier this month. | The Geneva meeting follows a previous round of talks earlier this month. |
On that occasion, too, foreign ministers flew to Geneva to conclude the negotiations, but they went home empty-handed. | On that occasion, too, foreign ministers flew to Geneva to conclude the negotiations, but they went home empty-handed. |
Analysts say a major sticking point is Iran's insistence on its right to enrich uranium - a process that yields material used to manufacture fuel for power stations, but can also be used in weapons. | Analysts say a major sticking point is Iran's insistence on its right to enrich uranium - a process that yields material used to manufacture fuel for power stations, but can also be used in weapons. |
Western diplomats are also concerned about a reactor Iran is building at Arak - an issue which disrupted the first round of talks. | Western diplomats are also concerned about a reactor Iran is building at Arak - an issue which disrupted the first round of talks. |
US President Barack Obama has said any interim agreement would see the bulk of international and US sanctions remain, but that Iran would get sanctions relief worth between $6bn and $7bn. | US President Barack Obama has said any interim agreement would see the bulk of international and US sanctions remain, but that Iran would get sanctions relief worth between $6bn and $7bn. |
The essence of the deal would involve Iran making no more advances in its nuclear programme and agreeing to "more vigorous inspections", he said. | The essence of the deal would involve Iran making no more advances in its nuclear programme and agreeing to "more vigorous inspections", he said. |
Regional powers - notably Israel and Saudi Arabia - have been increasingly concerned at the prospect of an agreement with Iran. | Regional powers - notably Israel and Saudi Arabia - have been increasingly concerned at the prospect of an agreement with Iran. |
Saudia Arabia has expressed disquiet at Washington's readiness to negotiate with Tehran. | Saudia Arabia has expressed disquiet at Washington's readiness to negotiate with Tehran. |
"Appeasement hasn't worked in the past, and I don't think it will work in the 21st Century," the Saudi Ambassador to London, Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, said in an interview with Saturday's Times. | "Appeasement hasn't worked in the past, and I don't think it will work in the 21st Century," the Saudi Ambassador to London, Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, said in an interview with Saturday's Times. |
There have been persistent reports that Saudi Arabia is in a position to obtain nuclear weapons from Pakistan should Iran develop the bomb. | There have been persistent reports that Saudi Arabia is in a position to obtain nuclear weapons from Pakistan should Iran develop the bomb. |
Pakistan has described such reports as "baseless" while Saudi Arabia points out that it is a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and wants a nuclear-free Middle East. | Pakistan has described such reports as "baseless" while Saudi Arabia points out that it is a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and wants a nuclear-free Middle East. |
However, Prince Mohammed told the Times: "We are not going to sit idly by and receive a threat there and not think seriously how we can best defend our country and our region." | However, Prince Mohammed told the Times: "We are not going to sit idly by and receive a threat there and not think seriously how we can best defend our country and our region." |