28 Mar 2024
Thursday 2 April 2015 - 22:52
Story Code : 158197

U.S., Iran reach historic nuclear 'understanding'

U.S., Iran reach historic nuclear
Iran and six world powers on Thursday agreed on "key parameters" for resolving a long-standing dispute over Iran's disputed nuclear program, which has left the Islamic nation economically isolated.

"Today we have taken a decisive step. We have reached solutions on key parameters for a comprehensivefuturenuclear deal," said European Union Foreign Affairs Minister Federica Mogherini, in formally announcing the deal.

She said Iran would not produce weapons grade fuel and that international monitors will have enhanced access to Iran's nuclear facilities.

She also said that sanctions would be "terminated" but did not specify the timetable, which has been a key sticking point of the negotiations. Iran wants them lifted immediately, while the United States wants most of them in place until Iran follows through on terms of the deal.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif called the agreement a "major step forward."

Earlier, Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani tweeted that negotiators hadagreed on "parameters" of a deal that would allow them to conclude a final agreement in June.

"Big day: #EU, P5+1, and #Iran now have parameters toresolvemajor issues on nuclear program. Back to work soon on a final deal," Kerry tweeted shortly before making a formal announcement in the Swiss city of Lausanne.

"Key Parameters" of a nuclear deal were reached Rouhani tweeted.

The agreement aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting of tough financial sanctions came two days after an original self-imposed deadline for a deal. It will clear the way for tough talks on a final, technically complex written agreement by June 30.



Found solutions. Ready tostartdrafting immediately.

Javad Zarif (@JZarif)April 2, 2015



Some elements of the agreement may not be made public, but conveyed privately to governments and to Congress, which is weighing new sanctions against Iran because of concerns it will try to develop a nuclear weapon in secret. Iran has insisted its program is solely for peaceful purposes.

The announcement followed marathon negotiating sessions between Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister , along with other negotiators.

The 18-months of nuclear talks -- pitting Iran against United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany -- have been aimed at simultaneously fashioning a deal to curb Iranian nuclearprogramsthat could be used to make weapons while working out the timing for lifting economic sanctions stifling Iran's economy.

Iran has pushed for an immediate lifting of the sanctions imposed by the United Nations, the United States and other major powers.The U.S. position has been to keep most sanctions in place for years and to lift them gradually based on stringent inspections to make sure Iran honors the terms of the agreement.

Earlier Zarif said a draft agreement backed by all participants was the critical last step toward reaching a firm resolution. He told reporters that a final negotiated deal "will take hopefully three months to finalize and hopefully less."

One late snag in the deal appeared to be a desire by Kerry to bring back to Washington specifics of a deal to use in an effort to convince critics in Congress not to impose new sanctions, while Iran purportedly preferred only a vague joint statement.

The agreement to keep some parts of the deal private appeared to address Iran's concerns.

The talks in recent weeks have played out against a backdrop of strong opposition by most Republicans in Congress, who back additional sanctions, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

On Wednesday, Netanyahu said the international community must insist on a "better deal" than the general outline of an agreement leaking from the talks.

"A better deal would significantly roll back Iran's nuclear infrastructure," he said. "A better deal would link the eventual lifting of the restrictions on Iran's nuclear program to a change in Iran's behavior."

By USA Today

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