This article is from the source 'washpo' 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.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/talks-between-us-and-iran-on-irans-nuclear-future-resume/2015/03/17/a22ba324-cc0d-11e4-8730-4f473416e759_story.html?wprss=rss_world

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Iran envoy: ‘Main issues’ settled as nuclear talks shift to technical points Iran envoy: ‘Main issues’ settled as nuclear talks shift to technical points
(about 2 hours later)
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.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 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.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 Salehi’s comments indicate — at least from the Iranian side — a sense that months of often-difficult bargaining have pushed into a new stage.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.
“The main issues have been closed,” Salehi told Iranian state TV, according to news reports.“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. Agreement on at least one “final item” still was unresolved, he said without giving details. But he 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. “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.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. A senior Obama administration official said some difficult issues still lie ahead as the sides try to reach the general outlines of a deal — which could still face stiff a backlash from Republican lawmakers in Washington who seek 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 Salehi was at MIT working toward his PhD in nuclear engineering. Their paths never crossed in Cambridge, however. For the last three rounds of talks, Kerry has been joined by Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, who previously headed the physics department at the 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.
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 that its nuclear program is only for the peaceful production of energy and medical isotopes.
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 check whether each option meets the test of providing 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 amass enough material needed to start building a bomb, if Iran decided to do so. “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 more rigorous compliance visits by international nuclear inspectors. Iran is under 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 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.
Murphy reported from Washington. Daniela Deane in Rome contributed to this report.Murphy reported from Washington. Daniela Deane in Rome contributed to this report.