Iran nuclear talks shift to UN envoy after snag

With a first round of nuclear negotiations with world powers ending without agreement, Iranian officials looked ahead today to parallel talks with the UN's nuclear chief amid reminders that concessions by Tehran have limits.
The overall message from Iran closely mirrored the work-in-progress tone of US Secretary of State John Kerry and other powerful envoys, who failed to seal a first-step accord during overtime talks in Geneva and but then quickly agreed to try again next week.
The administration of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is emphasising that the talks are a work in progress. He's mollifying hard-liners by reasserting that Iran will keep on with nuclear activities that it insists are its right, but at the same time is trying to quell any hints of stalemate in the negotiations.

The impression that the talks are sputtering could embolden critics uneasy over his government's historic outreach to the US and fast-track effort to ease Western concerns over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
The framework for a possible deal could see an easing of US-led economic sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran's highest levels on uranium enrichment.
Among the complications ahead, though, is addressing French concerns that the proposed limits on Iran's ability to make nuclear fuel don't go far enough and alarm over a planned heavy water reactor that produces greater amounts of byproduct plutonium, which can be used in nuclear weapon production.

Iran insists it rejects nuclear arms and only wants reactors of energy and medical applications, such as isotopes for cancer treatment.

Rouhani said progress was made during "serious" talks in Geneva with the six-nation group, the permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany.
But he repeated that Iran cannot be pushed to fully give up uranium enrichment a comment that echoes past declarations and appears aimed at opponents of his nuclear dialogue with the West.
In related talks, UN nuclear chief Yukiya Amano headed to Tehran today for meetings on the practical aspects of expanding international monitoring and gaining greater access to nuclear sites.

Attempts have been stymied for nearly two years of arguments over what can be seen and who can be interviewed by experts from the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency.
Iran's new leadership has promised more cooperation, and Amano said "we aim to build" on the offers. A positive report from Amano could help drive forward negotiations set to resume Nov. 20 between Iran and the six world powers.