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-29248244

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Iran nuclear talks to resume but 'breakthrough unlikely' Iran 'must up IAEA co-operation to ease nuclear sanctions'
(about 21 hours later)
Talks between Iran and the US, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China on Iran's disputed nuclear programme are due to resume in New York. Iran must step up its co-operation with the world's nuclear watchdog if it wants a deal to ease sanctions, the West has told Tehran.
But officials say that a breakthrough in the negotiations is unlikely. The warning was issued as the US, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China resumed talks with Iran on its disputed nuclear programme.
US and Iranian diplomats have met ahead of the talks and Iran's foreign minister and the EU foreign policy chief will meet on Thursday. Officials say a breakthrough in the negotiations is unlikely.
World powers suspect Iran is seeking a weapon but it insists that it is enriching uranium for peaceful reasons.World powers suspect Iran is seeking a weapon but it insists that it is enriching uranium for peaceful reasons.
It says the enriched uranium will be used in nuclear power stations and for medical purposes.It says the enriched uranium will be used in nuclear power stations and for medical purposes.
Last month Iranian President Hassan Rouhani criticised a new move by the US to impose sanctions on 25 Iranian firms and individuals.Last month Iranian President Hassan Rouhani criticised a new move by the US to impose sanctions on 25 Iranian firms and individuals.
'Far apart' At talks in New York on Thursday, the US and the EU voiced their concern at the slow progress made by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) investigation into Iran's nuclear programme.
Diplomats from the six countries will begin informal discussions on Thursday before they gather with the Iranian delegation on Friday. A report released by the IAEA in September said Iran had failed to answer questions about what the watchdog called the possible military dimensions of its nuclear ambitions by a 25 August deadline.
The negotiations - on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly - are expected to last until at least 26 September. 'Mere allegations'
The US says that "more movement" is required from Iran if a long-term agreement is to be secured. The EU said it was disappointed with the "very limited progress" and insisted that Iran and the IAEA must resolve "all outstanding issues" in order to reach a comprehensive settlement.
Senior US negotiator Wendy Sherman said that "we remain far apart on other core issues, including the size and scope of Iran's uranium enrichment capacity". Iran's envoy, Reza Najafi, dismissed accusations about military uses of his country's nuclear programme as "mere allegations" and said the outstanding issues had not yet been dealt with because of their "complexity".
One diplomat told Reuters: "Things remain blocked. New York will be vital to see if we can break the impasse." Mr Najafi said Iran would hold a new meeting with the IAEA to resolve the issues "very soon".
The talks - on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly - are expected to last until at least 26 September.
Correspondents say that expectations that President Barack Obama and President Rouhani will exchange even a handshake - let alone meet one another over the next few days - are not high.Correspondents say that expectations that President Barack Obama and President Rouhani will exchange even a handshake - let alone meet one another over the next few days - are not high.
That is a far cry from a year ago when the two leaders came close to ending the decades-long moratorium on face-to-face meetings.That is a far cry from a year ago when the two leaders came close to ending the decades-long moratorium on face-to-face meetings.
Meanwhile Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz urged the EU - which has worked as an interlocutor for the six powers - not to make a "bad deal" with Iran. Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz urged the EU - which has worked as an interlocutor for the six powers - not to make a "bad deal" with Iran.
He said that EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton may be in a rush to complete a deal before she steps down at the end of this year.He said that EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton may be in a rush to complete a deal before she steps down at the end of this year.
"We are deeply concerned... We feel the negotiations are going in the wrong direction," he said."We are deeply concerned... We feel the negotiations are going in the wrong direction," he said.
The last round of talks aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for ending sanctions began in February, but Iran and the six countries involved failed to reach a deal by the 20 July deadline.The last round of talks aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for ending sanctions began in February, but Iran and the six countries involved failed to reach a deal by the 20 July deadline.
Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States make up the P5+1.Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States make up the P5+1.
Iran and the P5+1 have agreed to extend negotiations until 24 November.Iran and the P5+1 have agreed to extend negotiations until 24 November.