Talks on preliminary deal on Iran nuke program enter final day

PanARMENIAN.Net - Talks to reach a preliminary agreement on Iran's nuclear program are entering their final day, BBC News reports.

Foreign ministers from six world powers and their Iranian counterpart have been negotiating in Switzerland ahead of a self-imposed deadline.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said talks on Monday, March 30, had produced "some light" but "tricky issues" remained.

Ministers want to restrict Iran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from crippling sanctions.

Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but world powers are worried about the country developing nuclear weapons.

They want to keep Iran at least one year away from being able to produce enough fuel for a single weapon.

The final hours of negotiation in Lausanne are taking place between foreign ministers from the so-called P5+1 - comprising the U.S., UK, France, China, Russia and Germany - and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini is also present.

Kerry said there had been "a little more light" on Monday, "but there are still some tricky issues. Everyone knows the meaning of tomorrow".

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday that the "marathon-like" negotiations had entered the final stage and that he was "cautiously optimistic".

The differences between the parties were narrowing, he said.

Negotiators worked late into the night and are continuing talks this morning in an all out effort to meet the deadline.

Ministers are aiming to agree on a political framework agreement by Tuesday night that would lead to a final and comprehensive accord by June 30.

Senior Iranian negotiator Abbas Araqchi told Iranian TV that he was "hopeful" about a deal, but that ministers were not in a position to say whether they were close to resolving all of the issues.

Iranian and Western officials have said that a deal is possible, but after almost 18 months of negotiations several sticking points remain.

"We must take precautions to ensure that what happens after the 10 years expire really is verifiable and transparent," said German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. "We cannot allow there to be a really explosive development after 10 years."

Another point of contention is Iran's desire to be able to develop advanced centrifuges, which could enrich uranium faster and in greater quantities. While enriched uranium is used as fuel for nuclear reactors, it can also be used to make nuclear bombs.

Adding to the list of issues to be resolved, Iran's lead negotiator has ruled out sending its existing stockpile of nuclear fuel abroad, one of the steps demanded by the P5+1.

Meanwhile, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his opposition to a deal, saying it would send the message "that Iran stands to gain by its aggression".