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EU's Catherine Ashton begins landmark talks in Iran Iran tells EU's Ashton nuclear deal possible in months
(about 2 hours later)
The EU's head of foreign policy, Catherine Ashton, has begun talks with Iranian leaders in Tehran. The Iranian foreign minister has told the visiting EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, that a nuclear deal could come in the next four months.
It is her first visit to Iran and comes amid a thaw in relations with the West following last year's election of moderate Hassan Rouhani as president. Mohammad Javad Zarif held talks lasting more than an hour with Baroness Ashton, who is making her first visit to Tehran amid a thaw in relations.
She met Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif for more than an hour. "We can do it in four or five months and even shorter," Mr Zarif said.
Baroness Ashton cautioned there was "no guarantee" her talks would lead to a comprehensive agreement.
World powers want Iran to scale back its nuclear work to ensure it cannot assemble a nuclear weapon.
The election of Iranian moderate Hassan Rouhani as president last year led to an improvement in ties between the Islamic Republic and the EU.
In November, Baroness Ashton helped broker a deal to curb Iran's nuclear programme in return for limited sanctions relief.In November, Baroness Ashton helped broker a deal to curb Iran's nuclear programme in return for limited sanctions relief.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Majid Takhte Ravanchi, said on Saturday the nuclear issue would be on the agenda for the three-day visit.
"Ms Ashton travels to Iran as the EU foreign policy chief, and discussing bilateral ties between Iran and European Union is on her agenda... naturally the nuclear issue will be raised too," he said.
Analysts say the war in Syria is also expected to be discussed, as Iran is a key ally of President Bashar al-Assad.Analysts say the war in Syria is also expected to be discussed, as Iran is a key ally of President Bashar al-Assad.
Baroness Ashton's visit is the first to Iran by an EU policy chief since 2008. It is the first visit to Iran by an EU policy chief since 2008.
Iranian media said the trip would also take her to the historical city of Isfahan on Monday. 'No guarantee'
"This interim agreement is really important but not as important as a comprehensive agreement [which is]... difficult, challenging," Baroness Ashton said at a joint news conference with Mr Zarif.
"There is no guarantee that we will succeed."
There was, she added, a need for support from all sides.
The BBC's Lyse Doucet, who is in Tehran, says the visit is primarily aimed at exploring the potential for a new relationship between Iran and Europe.The BBC's Lyse Doucet, who is in Tehran, says the visit is primarily aimed at exploring the potential for a new relationship between Iran and Europe.
But it is hoped Baroness Ashton can send a message to Iran's leaders that there is much to gain if they continue to build a new relationship with the international community, she adds.But it is hoped Baroness Ashton can send a message to Iran's leaders that there is much to gain if they continue to build a new relationship with the international community, she adds.
Last year's interim deal with the so-called P5+1 - the US, UK, France, China and Russia plus Germany - saw Iran curb uranium enrichment in return for partial sanctions relief. Last year's interim deal with the so-called P5+1 - the US, UK, France, China and Russia plus Germany - saw Iran curb uranium enrichment.
World powers want Iran to scale back its nuclear activities permanently to ensure that it cannot assemble a nuclear weapon. Iranian media say the trip will also take Baroness Ashton to the historical city of Isfahan on Monday.