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Nuclear talks tackle ‘technical’ details as deadline nears Iran envoy: ‘Main issues’ settled as nuclear talks shift to technical points
(about 2 hours later)
LAUSANNE, Switzerland — Negotiators for the United States and Iran turned Tuesday to detailed aspects of a possible nuclear agreement as it appeared increasingly likely that talks may bump up against a late March deadline. LAUSANNE, Switzerland — A top Iranian envoy suggested Tuesday that “main issues” have been cleared in nuclear talks and a framework on a possible deal could be reached before an end-of-month deadline.
The moves toward fine-tuning a possible pact appeared to display some progress. The upbeat assessment by Iran’s nuclear chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, contrasted sharply with far more cautious statements from U.S. and European officials on progress toward an accord to limit Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for easing crippling international sanctions.
But U.S. and European officials indicate serious gaps still remain to find a formula that would rein in Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for easing sanctions that have strangled the economy. But Salehi’s comments indicate — at least from the Iranian side — a sense that months of often-difficult bargaining have pushed into a new stage.
A senior Obama administration official said some difficult issues still lay ahead before a self-imposed March 31 deadline to reach the general outlines of a deal. “The main issues have been closed,” Salehi told Iranian state TV, according to news reports.
Agreement on at least one “final item” still was unresolved, he said without giving details, but noted that “things were clear” on so-called ``technical issues” on how to implement a possible pact.
“Of course there are many details. But I can say that, as a whole, I am optimistic” about a deal before the self-imposed March 31 deadline, Salehi said from Lausanne.
More restrained views have been expressed by U.S. and European officials as the latest round of talks moved into a second day.
A senior Obama administration official said some difficult issues still lay ahead to reach the general outlines of a deal — which could still face stiff backlash from Republican lawmakers in Washington seeking a voice in the negotiations.
“We have definitely made progress in terms of identifying technical options for each of the major areas,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity under ground rules for briefing reporters. “There is no way around it. We still have a ways to go.”“We have definitely made progress in terms of identifying technical options for each of the major areas,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity under ground rules for briefing reporters. “There is no way around it. We still have a ways to go.”
Similar assessments have been made for months now, and there are no indications that the negotiators are preparing to wrap things up in the coming days.Similar assessments have been made for months now, and there are no indications that the negotiators are preparing to wrap things up in the coming days.
[Read: Crunch time for talks][Read: Crunch time for talks]
Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, following up on almost five hours of talks on Monday, returned to the negotiating table around 8 a.m. Tuesday.Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, following up on almost five hours of talks on Monday, returned to the negotiating table around 8 a.m. Tuesday.
It is uncertain whether any of the foreign ministers in the other five countries negotiating with Iran — Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia — have made plans to come to Lausanne this week.It is uncertain whether any of the foreign ministers in the other five countries negotiating with Iran — Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia — have made plans to come to Lausanne this week.
Such visits would be a clear signal that an agreement was near. Kerry has commitments in Washington early next week, and Zarif is expected to return to Iran on Friday on the eve of Nowruz, the Persian new year that is one of the most important holidays in Iran.Such visits would be a clear signal that an agreement was near. Kerry has commitments in Washington early next week, and Zarif is expected to return to Iran on Friday on the eve of Nowruz, the Persian new year that is one of the most important holidays in Iran.
The American and Iranian negotiating teams — while led by Kerry and Zarif — are now filled with technical experts including nuclear physicists and specialists in sanctions and arms control.The American and Iranian negotiating teams — while led by Kerry and Zarif — are now filled with technical experts including nuclear physicists and specialists in sanctions and arms control.
For the last three rounds of talks, Kerry has been joined by Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, who previously headed the physics department at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was a young teacher when a student named Ali Akbar Salehi was at MIT working toward his PhD in nuclear engineering. For the last three rounds of talks, Kerry has been joined by Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, who previously headed the physics department at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was a young teacher when Salehi was at MIT working toward his PhD in nuclear engineering. Their paths never crossed in Cambridge, however.
Salhi now heads Iran’s nuclear agency, and has held direct negotiations with Moniz here in Lausanne. Their paths never crossed in Cambridge, however.
The negotiators are juggling various formulas for restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program. A key element is bolstering advance-warning systems to detect possible breaches by Iran, such as amassing materials needed to build a nuclear warhead.The negotiators are juggling various formulas for restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program. A key element is bolstering advance-warning systems to detect possible breaches by Iran, such as amassing materials needed to build a nuclear warhead.
Iran has maintained its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes like energy and medical testing.Iran has maintained its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes like energy and medical testing.
The United States has built a series of models that it uses to test whether each option meets the test to give at least a one-year notice of any possible violations.The United States has built a series of models that it uses to test whether each option meets the test to give at least a one-year notice of any possible violations.
The senior administration official said the other countries negotiating alongside the United States also have run their own models, producing similar results. It is unclear what Iranian research shows.The senior administration official said the other countries negotiating alongside the United States also have run their own models, producing similar results. It is unclear what Iranian research shows.
[Fact-checking Obama’s reference to “unprecedented” nuclear inspections ][Fact-checking Obama’s reference to “unprecedented” nuclear inspections ]
“We are always looking at making sure any combination of options viewed as viable offsets our redline of a year breakout,” he said, referring to the time calculated as necessary to build up enough material needed to start building a bomb. “A lot of things are linked. If something is given here, it’s got to be offset somewhere else.”“We are always looking at making sure any combination of options viewed as viable offsets our redline of a year breakout,” he said, referring to the time calculated as necessary to build up enough material needed to start building a bomb. “A lot of things are linked. If something is given here, it’s got to be offset somewhere else.”
Another hurdle is deciding the pace at which sanctions would be eased if Iran meets its commitments and allows visits by international nuclear inspectors. Iran has separate sets of sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and the United Nations.Another hurdle is deciding the pace at which sanctions would be eased if Iran meets its commitments and allows visits by international nuclear inspectors. Iran has separate sets of sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and the United Nations.
The United States and its European allies want sanctions eased gradually, while Iran is pushing for quicker relief.The United States and its European allies want sanctions eased gradually, while Iran is pushing for quicker relief.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that his country would continue to produce more oil and gas despite Western sanctions. On Monday, Iran’s oil minister said the country was prepared to export up to 1 million more barrels of oil a day once sanctions are lifted, though that is not considered enough to have a large impact on oil prices.Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that his country would continue to produce more oil and gas despite Western sanctions. On Monday, Iran’s oil minister said the country was prepared to export up to 1 million more barrels of oil a day once sanctions are lifted, though that is not considered enough to have a large impact on oil prices.
Talks resumed Monday after Iranian negotiators Monday expressed concern over a letter from Senate Republicans warning that a nuclear deal with Obama might not outlast his time in office. Murphy reported from Washington. Daniela Deane in Rome contributed to this report.
“It’s a bit of a roller coaster,” the official said. “One day we feel we may get there. The next day, or hour, we might feel maybe not so much. That’s why it is very difficult and challenging.”
Daniela Deane in Rome and Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report.