Iran and world powers struggle on nuclear deal in Geneva Published duration 22 November 2013

image caption Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (C) is leading the Iranian team

World powers are struggling to reach an interim deal with Iran to limit its nuclear programme, as talks in Geneva move into a third day.

Iran spoke of "serious issues" that must be resolved, while one Western diplomat cited "considerable gaps".

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has arrived to join the talks, and reports say the discussions could extend into the weekend.

The deal could see Iran curb uranium enrichment for some sanctions relief.

However, US politicians have indicated they will push forward with a bill proposing more sanctions against Iran next month if the talks fail.

US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he would support "broadening the scope" of current oil and trade sanctions.

Both Republican and Democrat congressmen say the threat of sanctions will bolster the negotiating position of the world powers.

President Barack Obama had earlier urged Congress not to promote the bill while talks were going on.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, but some world powers suspect it is seeking a nuclear weapons capability.

Talks extended?

EU foreign policy chief Baroness Catherine Ashton is leading the talks for the world powers.

She has begun a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif.

The Geneva talks, which are currently scheduled to conclude on Friday, involve Iran and representatives of the so-called P5+1 - UN Security Council permanent members US, UK, France, China and Russia, plus Germany.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday that negotiations were "positive", but said meetings were likely to continue into Saturday.

US Secretary of State John Kerry may join later.

'Very hard'

After Thursday's talks, Mr Araqchi was quoted by the Mehr news agency as saying "serious issues remain a source of difference".

One senior Western diplomat told Reuters: "Considerable gaps remain, and we have to narrow the gaps. Some issues really need to be clarified.

"I sensed a real commitment... from both sides. Will it happen? We will see. But, as always, the devil is in the details."

One US source said simply: "It is very hard."

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told France 2 television: "This deal will only be possible if it has a firm base."

However, one diplomat told Reuters there was still a "very high probability" that foreign ministers would join the talks at some point.

image caption Benjamin Netanyahu (left, with Vladimir Putin): "I promise you that [Iran] will not have nuclear weapons"

The Geneva meeting follows a previous round of talks earlier this month.

The US has said any interim agreement would see the bulk of international and US sanctions targeting Iran's nuclear programme remain in place.

Mr Obama said sanctions relief would be worth between $6bn and $7bn.

The essence of the deal would involve Iran making no more advances in its nuclear programme and agreeing to "more vigorous inspections", he said.

Analysts say a major sticking point is Iran's insistence on its right to enrich uranium - a process that yields material used to manufacture fuel for power stations, but can also be used for weapons.

image caption The fate of Iran's heavy-water plant at Arak is one of the issues to be resolved

Western diplomats are also concerned about a reactor Iran is building at Arak, which disrupted the first round of talks.

Before the talks opened, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran would not step back "one iota" from its nuclear rights.

He also referred to Israel as a "rabid dog".

Israel has vehemently opposed the proposed deal and says it will not be obliged to honour it.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is in Moscow, said the ayatollah's speech represented the "real Iran".

"We are not confused. They must not have nuclear weapons. And I promise you that they will not have nuclear weapons," he said.