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Iran deal takes shape

by Mark Hensch - 03/28/15 12:42 PM ET

U.S.-led negotiations with Iran on Saturday produced a two-to-three page outline for a potential agreement over Tehran’s nuclear weapons research.

Reuters reported that officials involved with the talks believe a draft accord will appear publicly by early next week. The U.S. and its allies have four days to reach a self-imposed Tuesday deadline for a tentative deal.

“In negotiations, both sides must show flexibility,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted Saturday.

{mosads}“We have, and are ready to make a good deal for all,” he continued. “We await our counterparts’ readiness.”

Secretary of State John Kerry met Zarif in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Monday and has worked with him through the week. The U.S. is aided by Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia on its side of the bargaining table.

“I hope we can get a robust agreement,” French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told Reuters on Saturday.

“The talks were long and difficult,” he admitted. “We have moved forward on certain points, but on others not enough.”

“Iran has the right to civil nuclear power, but with regard to the atomic bomb, it’s ‘no,’ ” he added.

Reports leaked Thursday that the Obama administration would consider letting Iran run centrifuges at a fortified, underground bunker called Fordo. Tehran maintains it would only conduct non-military research at the once-secret installation.

The West would consider such an arrangement if Iran accepted limits on its use of uranium and allowed inspections at Fordo. An earlier draft of a possible accord revealed March 19 also stipulated Iran could only keep 6,000 centrifuges, down from the roughly 10,000 it has now.

The Obama administration hopes Iran will slow or stop its quest for nuclear arms in exchange for reduced economic sanctions. It is seeking at least a decade of cooperation from Tehran over any final bargain.

Talks between the two sides began 18 months ago. Should a deal be reached, it would end a 12-year stalemate over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Tags John Kerry