By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/negotiators-work-on-crux-of-iran-nuclear-deal Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Updated: Negotiators work out crux of Iran nuclear deal World Apr 1, 2015 9:31 AM EDT Updated at 2 p.m. EDT Thursday | European Union Foreign Affairs Minister Federica Mogherini and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced a breakthrough Thursday on key principles of Iran’s nuclear program, including limiting its uranium enrichment capacity and monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency, in exchange for the lifting of nuclear-related financial sanctions against Iran. You can read the terms of the agreement as put forth by the White House here. Original Story: Talks aimed at preventing Iran from making a nuclear bomb will continue into Thursday, with some negotiators saying an accord is still within reach despite a Tuesday deadline lapsing. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will postpone his departure from Lausanne, Switzerland — site of the talks — until at least Thursday, said department spokeswoman Marie Harf. “We continue to make progress but have not reached a political understanding,” she said. “Fingers crossed, and we hope to get there during the course of the day,” British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond had earlier told reporters. The talks, which also involve China, France, Germany, Russia, the United States and European Union, have continued for about a week. “I think we have a broad framework of understanding, but there are still some key issues that have to be worked through,” Hammond said. Those issues include the U.S. and its partners wanting to keep Iran from improving the performance of centrifuges that enrich uranium in order to prevent Iran from making a nuclear weapon. Iran has said its nuclear program is for civilian energy purposes. But Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Iranian television that research and development on high-end centrifuges should continue. Without a deal, some U.S. lawmakers are considering pushing for additional economic sanctions against Iran. Congress returns from its recess in mid-April. The negotiators currently are working on a basic framework agreement. The deadline for settling the technical details is June 30. Follow @NewsHourWorld We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko produced multimedia web features and broadcast reports with a focus on foreign affairs for the PBS NewsHour. She has reported in places such as Jordan, Pakistan, Iraq, Haiti, Sudan, Western Sahara, Guantanamo Bay, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Turkey, Germany and Ireland. @NewsHourWorld
Updated at 2 p.m. EDT Thursday | European Union Foreign Affairs Minister Federica Mogherini and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced a breakthrough Thursday on key principles of Iran’s nuclear program, including limiting its uranium enrichment capacity and monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency, in exchange for the lifting of nuclear-related financial sanctions against Iran. You can read the terms of the agreement as put forth by the White House here. Original Story: Talks aimed at preventing Iran from making a nuclear bomb will continue into Thursday, with some negotiators saying an accord is still within reach despite a Tuesday deadline lapsing. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will postpone his departure from Lausanne, Switzerland — site of the talks — until at least Thursday, said department spokeswoman Marie Harf. “We continue to make progress but have not reached a political understanding,” she said. “Fingers crossed, and we hope to get there during the course of the day,” British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond had earlier told reporters. The talks, which also involve China, France, Germany, Russia, the United States and European Union, have continued for about a week. “I think we have a broad framework of understanding, but there are still some key issues that have to be worked through,” Hammond said. Those issues include the U.S. and its partners wanting to keep Iran from improving the performance of centrifuges that enrich uranium in order to prevent Iran from making a nuclear weapon. Iran has said its nuclear program is for civilian energy purposes. But Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Iranian television that research and development on high-end centrifuges should continue. Without a deal, some U.S. lawmakers are considering pushing for additional economic sanctions against Iran. Congress returns from its recess in mid-April. The negotiators currently are working on a basic framework agreement. The deadline for settling the technical details is June 30. Follow @NewsHourWorld We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now