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-25074729
The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Iran nuclear: Geneva talks 'reach deal' | Iran nuclear: Geneva talks 'reach deal' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Iran and six world powers meeting in Geneva have reached a deal on Tehran's nuclear programme, foreign ministers say. | Iran and six world powers meeting in Geneva have reached a deal on Tehran's nuclear programme, foreign ministers say. |
No details have been released about the agreement, which has been reached after five days of negotiations. | No details have been released about the agreement, which has been reached after five days of negotiations. |
Negotiators from the UK, US, Russia, China, France and Germany want Iran to stop enriching uranium in return for a loosening of sanctions. | Negotiators from the UK, US, Russia, China, France and Germany want Iran to stop enriching uranium in return for a loosening of sanctions. |
Iran had earlier said it insisted on a "right to enrichment" in any deal. | Iran had earlier said it insisted on a "right to enrichment" in any deal. |
This deal may be the most significant agreement between the world powers and Iran for a decade, says the BBC's Iran correspondent, James Reynolds, who is at the talks in Geneva. | |
Iranian and western negotiators are expected to speak at a news conference shortly. | |
US President Barack Obama will give a statement at 03:15 GMT. | |
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. | 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. |
"We have reached an agreement," the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced on his Twitter feed. | "We have reached an agreement," the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced on his Twitter feed. |
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius also confirmed the deal. | |
Minutes earlier, Michael Mann, spokesman for the EU foreign policy chief Baroness Catherine Ashton, who is leading the conference, quoted her as saying: "We have reached agreement between E3+3 and Iran." | |
No details have been released. The White House says the US president, Barack Obama - who is in Washington - is preparing to make a statement about the deal. | |
Earlier, on Saturday evening, the deputy Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, said "98% of the draft" had been agreed but that Tehran wanted a "right to enrichment" to be clearly stated in any deal. | Earlier, on Saturday evening, the deputy Iranian foreign minister, Abbas 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. | "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. |
Negotiators have been working since Wednesday to reach an agreement that is acceptable to both sides. | Negotiators have been working since Wednesday to reach 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". | |
'Vigorous inspections' | |
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Saturday that a deal would be done only if it was a "truly worthwhile agreement". | |
Some US politicians had said they would push for more sanctions if the talks failed. | |
The Geneva meeting follows a previous round of talks earlier this month. | |
On that occasion, foreign ministers flew to Geneva to conclude the negotiations, but they went home empty-handed. | |
Analysts say a major sticking point has been 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. | |
President 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. |