Iran nuclear talks end with progress

Diplomats say chief advance achieved at Geneva was not detailed concessions, but Tehran's willingness to engage the six powers on their concerns.

VIENNA // Iran nuclear talks ended last week with enthusiastic pronouncements of progress from negotiators.

Tehran’s willingness to engage is a big step, but diplomats said significant gaps remained between what the Iranians offered and what the six negotiating powers want so as to reduce fears of Iranian nuclear weapons.

Details of Iran’s offer are confidential, but two diplomats said the chief advance achieved at Geneva was not detailed Iranian concessions, but Tehran’s apparent willingness to engage the six powers on their concerns.

Differences remain over the size and output of Iran’s enrichment programme, which can create both reactor fuel and weapons-grade material suitable for a nuclear bomb.

Abbas Araghchi, the deputy foreign minister of Iran, said that his country “introduced the framework for the talks” and that they were welcomed.

* Associated Press