Iran nuclear talks intensify
Story highlights Two key sticking points: 1. What would be limits on Iranian nuclear research? 2. When would U.N. sanctions be lifted? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns the deal would be a disaster
As the negotiations entered their fourth day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the agreement coming together is worse than Israel's deepest fears.
The talks had hit a snag on Saturday, with diplomats describing Iran as refusing to budge, but as the French, German and Chinese foreign ministers arrived, the mood seemed more optimistic. The British and Russian foreign ministers were expected late Sunday.
U.S. officials and Western diplomats described the negotiations as tough and intense, which was expected as the talks reached the endgame.
They said the contours of a deal are becoming clearer, but they were unsure it could be reached. Two core issues are still unresolved: 1. Limits on Iranian research and development on advanced nuclear technology in the end years of the deal. 2. The pace of lifting United Nations sanctions.
The U.S. officials stressed all of the elements were interrelated and nothing is agreed to until everything is agreed to, comparing the final deal to a puzzle. But they indicated most of the other elements were solvable if those two major hurdles could be overcome.
The speed of which U.N. sanctions could be lifted remains in dispute. Iran wants them lifted immediately after the deal goes into effect.
While diplomats say Iran could see unilateral sanctions relief in the areas of trade, oil and banking, sanctions adopted by the United Nations are more complicated. Many are related to proliferation and transfer of missile technology and are tied to certification by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, that Iran's nuclear program does not have a military dimension.
On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif made clear the issue of sanctions remains a stumbling block, saying he believes the world powers "have realized that sanctions, pressure and an agreement will not go together. It's only to translate that understanding and realization into the agreement that we are negotiating."
U.S. officials said that all sides, including Iran, agree that sanctions would be lifted in phases over time as Iran confirms its compliance to the deal. But they acknowledge there is still disagreement on the actual formula.
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Iran nuclear talks intensify