International powers agree on framework for Iran nuclear deal

Seven nations will now begin writing text for final agreeement

Published April 2, 2015 6:04PM (EDT)

John Kerry                  (Reuters/Evan Vucci)
John Kerry (Reuters/Evan Vucci)

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) -- The United States, Iran and five other world powers on Thursday announced an understanding outlining limits on Iran's nuclear program so it cannot lead to atomic weapons, directing negotiators toward achieving a comprehensive agreement within three months.

Reading out a joint statement, European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said a "decisive step" after more than a decade of negotiations had been achieved. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif followed with the same statement in Farsi. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and the top diplomats of Britain, France and Germany also briefly took the stage behind them.

In a tweet, Kerry said there was an agreement "to resolve major issues on nuclear program. Back to work soon on a final deal."

Mogherini said the seven nations would now start writing the text of a final accord. She cited several agreed-upon restrictions on Iran's enrichment of material that can be used either for energy production or in nuclear warheads. She said Iran won't produce weapons-grade plutonium.

Crucially for the Iranians, economic sanctions related to its nuclear programs are to be rolled back after the U.N. nuclear agency confirms compliance.

© 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


By George Jahn

MORE FROM George Jahn

By Matthew Lee

MORE FROM Matthew Lee


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Diplomacy Federica Mogherini Foreign Policy Iran Iran Nuclear Talks John Kerry Mohammad Javad Zarif