Iran Stays Put On Nuclear Weapons, Shames World Powers

The talks were forced to extend into an extra day as they edged toward a deal but failed to agree on crucial details including the lifting of UN sanctions.

The meeting that was held in the Swiss city of Lausanne ended in the early hours of Wednesday and will reconvene later in the day.

However, Iran and Russia expressed optimism that the initial agreement was within reach.

The agreement is a major milestone toward a final accord, with an end-June deadline, that could end the 12-year-old standoff and reduce the risk of another Middle East war.

Iran asserts its nuclear rights claiming that it has peaceful intentions.

On Tuesday, the United States threatened to abandon the negotiations.

Reaching a general accord

The talks have been bogged down on issues of nuclear research, the lifting of UN sanctions and their restoration if Iran breaches the agreement.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said negotiators had reached a general accord on all key aspects.

On his part, the Iranian counterpart said a draft agreement could be prepared on Wednesday.

A diplomat close to the talks is allegedly reported to have denied that such an agreement had been reached.

French official said Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius left the talks and would return from France when it they are useful.

The six powers, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China , aim to stop Iran from gaining the capacity to develop a nuclear bomb in exchange for easing international sanctions that are crippling its economy.

by Musalia Wycliffe

Source: Reuters