Iran could accept deal to halt nuclear program for seven years, FM says

[Jefferson23]

John Kerry dismisses the idea that Iran could maintain its current number of nuclear enrichment centrifuges as part of a long-term deal with six world powers that would lead to a gradual end of sanctions.

By Reuters and DPA | Jul. 15, 2014

Iran is offering to hold off from expanding its uranium-enrichment program for about seven years in negotiations with six world powers, Tehran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said in remarks published by The New York Times Tuesday.

Zarif outlined the offer as negotiators were struggling in Vienna to reach a deal by a Sunday deadline that would curb Iran's nuclear program, end sanctions targeting the country and ultimately repair its relations with the world.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry dismissed the idea that Iran could maintain its current number of nuclear enrichment centrifuges as part of a long-term deal with six world powers that would lead to a gradual end of sanctions.

"We have made it crystal clear that the 19,000 (centrifuges) that are currently part of their program is too many," Kerry told reporters after three days of talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/1.605221

[Jefferson23]

1. Gareth Porter articles on the back history with Iran nuke issues:

http://www.ipsnews.net/author/gareth-porter/

[Jefferson23]

2. British Parliament committee endorses limited uranium enrichment for Iran July 13, 2014

While President Barack Obama struggles to build congressional support for a potential nuclear agreement with Iran, the British House of Commons' Foreign Affairs Committee has endorsed a deal that would allow Iran to continue limited uranium enrichment.

In a lengthy report made available to Al-Monitor in advance and published early July 14, British time, the 11-member committee — composed of representatives from Britain’s three main political parties — also states that negotiations “are the most promising forum for reaching a settlement which assuages fears about the scope and intention of the Iranian nuclear program.”

While expressing concern about Iran’s regional role and its poor record on human rights, the report is far more nuanced and conciliatory than recent congressional letters to Obama and proposed legislation, which seek total dismantlement of the Iranian nuclear program as the price for lifting economic sanctions. Appearing just a week before the deadline for current negotiations to succeed in Vienna — or require a renewal of last year’s interim accord — the British paper could have a positive impact on the US debate.

“There is a widespread sense that the prospects for reaching a long-term settlement which would assuage fears about regional security are better than they have ever been,” the committee report states. “We endorse the UK’s decision to take part in negotiations with Iran on its nuclear program through the framework of the Joint Plan of Action. … We acknowledge that there is probably no prospect of a lasting deal which does not allow Iran to enrich uranium.”

Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/07/british-report-iran-nuclear-deal-extension-uranium.html#ixzz37XjJzQ5Q