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Iran nuclear talks: Hague bids to close 'narrow gaps' | |
(about 4 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. | |
William Hague called for any deal to be thorough, after he arrived to negotiate alongside counterparts from the US, Russia, France, China and Germany. | |
The ministers hope to persuade Iran to stop enriching uranium in return for a loosening of sanctions. | |
But Iran insists it must be allowed to enrich uranium for power stations. | |
Tehran denies repeated claims by Western governments that it is seeking to develop 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. |
'Complicated and tough' | 'Complicated and tough' |
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 and foreign ministers 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". | |
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. |
The other ministers from the so-called P5+1 group of nations were also arriving on Saturday. | The other ministers from the so-called P5+1 group of nations were also arriving on Saturday. |
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. | |
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. |