The French foreign minister says Iran and six world powers have reached a first stage agreement on curbing Tehran’s nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.
Laurent Fabius made the announcement without further details early Sunday in Geneva, in a fifth day of talks.
In Twitter postings, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and European spokesman Michael Mann both said that agreement was reached on preliminary steps to curb Iran’s nuclear program and ease economic sanctions.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry joined counterparts from Russia, Britain, France, China and Germany in Geneva Saturday in the effort to get Tehran to limit its uranium enrichment program. Kerry met separately with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the meeting.
Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter held talks with Iran’s Zarif on Saturday.
World powers believe Iran’s nuclear program can be used to develop nuclear arms and have imposed sanctions on the oil-rich country. Tehran argues that it is developing nuclear power for energy and other peaceful purposes.
Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran on Saturday to discuss the issue.
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has been leading the negotiations with the Iranians. The main sticking points have been to what extent Iran will be allowed to enrich uranium and how much sanctions against Tehran would be eased.
Damn Angel! You beat me to this one! Thought I had it. 🙁
(It was the only one I sent later on)
🙂
This is major. I must confess I never saw it coming. I never thought Iran would capitulate or compromise in any way.
Deviating from the script? That appears to be the case, imo.
Israhell’s going to be SERIOUSLY pissed.
I could be wrong on that. According to another article, it appears as if they approve of the agreement.
Something’s up.