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Talks on long-term Iran nuclear deal to open in Vienna Talks on long-term Iran nuclear deal open in Vienna
(about 9 hours later)
Iran and six world powers are starting the first round of talks on a long-term agreement on Tehran's controversial nuclear programme. Iran has begun formal talks with six world powers in Vienna to try to reach a comprehensive agreement to limit its controversial nuclear programme.
The talks in Vienna aim to build on November's interim deal, in which Iran agreed to curb uranium enrichment in return for partial sanctions relief. The three-day meeting seeks to build on an interim deal signed in November that saw Iran curb uranium enrichment in return for partial sanctions relief.
Ahead of the meeting, both Iran and the US downplayed hopes of a quick breakthrough. Both Iran and the US have downplayed hopes of a quick breakthrough.
The West suspects Iran of trying to build nuclear arms. Tehran denies this. The world powers suspect Tehran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons, something it vigorously denies.
It stresses that the nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.
'No opposition''No opposition'
The talks between Iran and Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the US are due to open at 11:00 (10:00 GMT) in the Austrian capital. The talks between Iran and Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the US opened at 11:00 (10:00 GMT) in the Austrian capital.
The West wants Iran to sharply scale back its sensitive nuclear activities to ensure that it cannot quickly assemble an atomic bomb.The West wants Iran to sharply scale back its sensitive nuclear activities to ensure that it cannot quickly assemble an atomic bomb.
But Tehran says its nuclear work is purely peaceful and will continue. It also wants an end to the sanctions that have battered its economy.But Tehran says its nuclear work is purely peaceful and will continue. It also wants an end to the sanctions that have battered its economy.
It took months of very hard bargaining for the two sides to agree to negotiate a final deal, the BBC's Bethany Bell in Vienna reports.It took months of very hard bargaining for the two sides to agree to negotiate a final deal, the BBC's Bethany Bell in Vienna reports.
She adds that the talk will be a first test of that resolve. She adds that the talks will be a first test of that resolve.
On Monday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the Vienna talks "will not lead anywhere", in a statement posted on his website. On Monday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the Vienna negotiations "will not lead anywhere", in a statement posted on his website.
But he added: "What our officials started will continue. We will not renege. I have no opposition."But he added: "What our officials started will continue. We will not renege. I have no opposition."
Meanwhile, a senior US administration official also acknowledged that it would be a "complicated, difficult and lengthy process", Reuters reports.Meanwhile, a senior US administration official also acknowledged that it would be a "complicated, difficult and lengthy process", Reuters reports.
The two sides have until 19 July to find a comprehensive solution.The two sides have until 19 July to find a comprehensive solution.