Kerry hopes Iran nuclear deal 'possible' in coming days

Image
AFP Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt)
Last Updated : Mar 15 2015 | 9:28 AM IST
US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed hope that major world powers would clinch a deal with Iran in the coming days on Tehran's disputed nuclear program.
Six world powers, Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany aim by the end of this month to nail down the outline of a deal that would prevent Tehran from making a nuclear bomb.
The parties hope to reach a full accord by July 1.
"We believe very much that there's not anything that's going to change in April or May or June that suggests that at that time a decision you can't make now will be made then," Kerry told CBS television yesterday.
"My hope is that in the next days that will be possible," he added during the interview recorded in Egypt on the eve of a new round of talks in Switzerland.
The interview, excerpts of which were provided by the network, was due to air in full today on CBS's "Face the Nation" program.
Kerry, speaking during a three-day international investor conference in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, said that if Iran's nuclear program is indeed "peaceful," as Tehran claims, "let's get it done."
The negotiations are entering their final phase, with Kerry due to meet his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Lausanne, Switzerland today after the Sharm el-Sheikh conference ends.
During an earlier press conference, the top US diplomat showed caution when asked about the chances of clinching a successful deal.
The purpose of the Iran talks is "not just to get any deal, it is to get the right deal," he stressed.
"We made some progress, but there are still some gaps, important gaps."
The agreement aims to set guarantees about the peaceful nature of Tehran's nuclear program, controls at Iranian installations, the duration of the accord and dates for gradually lifting sanctions choking Iran's economy.
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has criticized the negotiations, and is due to give a closely watched Iranian New Year's address on March 21.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Mar 15 2015 | 9:28 AM IST

Next Story