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Iran nuclear talks: Foreign ministers gather in Geneva Iran nuclear talks: Foreign ministers gather in Geneva
(about 1 hour later)
The foreign ministers of six major powers are gathering in Geneva to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran.The foreign ministers of six major powers are gathering in Geneva to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran.
The Russian and Iranian envoys, who are already in Geneva, are being joined by their counterparts from the US, the UK, France, China and Germany. US Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived for talks involving the UK, Russia, France, China and Germany after three days of lower-level meetings.
They have joined the conference amid hopes for an agreement that would see Iran curb its uranium enrichment in return for a loosening of sanctions. The ministers hope to close a deal for Iran to curb uranium enrichment in return for a loosening of sanctions.
But Iran insists it must be allowed to enrich uranium for power stations, and denies it is seeking nuclear weapons.
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.
Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, but some world powers suspect it is seeking a nuclear weapons capability. 'Complicated and tough'
Talks extended? 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 Iran and the P5+1 negotiating partners - the US, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany. The talks had been scheduled to conclude on Friday, but were extended amid hopes of a possible breakthrough.
The talks had been scheduled to conclude on Friday, but were extended amid hopes of a possible breakthrough, prompting the P5+1 foreign ministers to announce their attendance in person. The state department said Mr Kerry, who arrived in Geneva early on Saturday, had the goal of "continuing to help narrow the differences and move closer to an agreement".
State department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Mr Kerry would arrive in Geneva early on Saturday "with 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.
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague will also arrive on Saturday, as will his French counterpart Laurent Fabius. The other ministers from the so-called P5+1 group of nations were also arriving on Saturday.
France has taken a harder line on Iran than other Western powers, encouraging its negotiating partners not to make too many compromises. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told reporters as he arrived: "I want a deal, but a solid deal, and I am here to work toward that end."
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle will also attend and China said its Foreign Minister Wang Yi had left for Geneva early on Saturday. France has taken a harder line on Iran than other Western powers.
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".
'Very hard' '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 to make 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.
Meanwhile, US politicians have indicated they will push forward with a bill proposing more sanctions against Iran next month if the talks fail. 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 Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he would support "broadening the scope" of current oil and trade sanctions.
President Barack Obama's administration has said any interim agreement would see the bulk of international and US sanctions targeting Iran's nuclear programme remain in place, 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.