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| Iran nuclear: John Kerry says deal 'possible this week' | Iran nuclear: John Kerry says deal 'possible this week' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| An agreement on a deal with Iran on its disputed nuclear programme could be sealed this week, US Secretary of State John Kerry says. | An agreement on a deal with Iran on its disputed nuclear programme could be sealed this week, US Secretary of State John Kerry says. |
| He was speaking to reporters in Vienna, where Iran is negotiating with the US and five other powers. | He was speaking to reporters in Vienna, where Iran is negotiating with the US and five other powers. |
| But Mr Kerry also warned that the two sides were "not where we need to be on several of the most difficult issues". | But Mr Kerry also warned that the two sides were "not where we need to be on several of the most difficult issues". |
| Negotiators face a 7 July deadline. Iran's foreign minister said on Friday that a deal had never been closer. | Negotiators face a 7 July deadline. Iran's foreign minister said on Friday that a deal had never been closer. |
| "If hard choices get made in the next couple of days and made quickly, we could get agreement this week," Mr Kerry said. | "If hard choices get made in the next couple of days and made quickly, we could get agreement this week," Mr Kerry said. |
| Over the past few days, "genuine progress" had been made, he added. | Over the past few days, "genuine progress" had been made, he added. |
| But the US was prepared to walk away "if we don't have a deal and there is absolute intransigence and unwillingness to move on the things that are important". | |
| The so-called P5+1 group - the US, UK, France, China and Russia plus Germany - wants Iran to scale back its sensitive nuclear activities to ensure that it cannot build a nuclear weapon. | The so-called P5+1 group - the US, UK, France, China and Russia plus Germany - wants Iran to scale back its sensitive nuclear activities to ensure that it cannot build a nuclear weapon. |
| Iran, which wants international sanctions that have crippled its economy lifted in exchange, has always insisted that its nuclear work is peaceful. | Iran, which wants international sanctions that have crippled its economy lifted in exchange, has always insisted that its nuclear work is peaceful. |
| Sticking points are still reported to be how sanctions are lifted and the amount of nuclear capability Iran is allowed to keep. | |
| 'Coercion' | |
| Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said on Friday that Iran was ready to strike a deal and negotiators had "never been closer to a lasting outcome". | |
| But in a video message he also called for an end to "coercion and pressure" at the nuclear talks. | |
| Will deal be Iranian president's legacy? | |
| Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all Iranian state matters, last week rejected some key demands of the P5+1, insisting Iran would only dismantle its nuclear infrastructure if the sanctions were lifted first. | |
| The deadline for reaching a comprehensive agreement on Tehran's nuclear programme has already been extended from the 30 June. | |
| Once agreed, a deal has to be reviewed by the US Congress before it can be signed. | |
| Will Congress scupper deal? |