A senior administration official, in a briefing of media on Friday, talked up the possibility of an interim nuclear deal with Iran.
The official said the 5+1 Powers are getting close to an arrangement that would prevent Tehrans nuclear program from advancing, and roll it back in key areas. He said the agreement would extend the breakout time for any nuclear weapon and shorten the time to notice if they tried.
The deal limiting Irans uranium enrichment, covering its stockpiles and nuclear facilities, and extending inspections in return for limited relief of sanctions could be completed during high-level talks in Geneva on November 21-22, the official said:
We are going to work very hard next week. I dont know if well reach an agreement. I think it is quite possible that we can. But theres still tough issues to negotiate.
The official said the 5+1 Powers were completely and totally unified on the outlines of the proposed deal.
An agreement last weekend in Geneva was stalled by French objections, taken up in the final hours by US Secretary of State John Kerry, on public recognition of Irans right to enrich and on construction of the Arak heavy-water nuclear reactor.
Since then, the Obama Administration has tried to check Congressional attempts to tighten financial restrictions on Iran, undermining next weeks talks.
Further sanctions now threaten our good faith not just for Iran but for our P5+1 partners, the official said.
The proposed deal is believed to increase about $6 billion in sanctions relief for Tehran in exchange for the limits on its nuclear program.