Iran Nuclear Talks: World Leaders Reach Framework on Iran Deal
World leaders reached a framework Thursday for a final deal limiting the Iranian nuclear program.
Iran agreed to curbs on its uranium enrichment program, and it agreed to convert one enrichment facility into a research facility, the State Department said. International inspectors will have regular access to all Iranian nuclear facilities.
In exchange, world powers said they would begin to lift punishing economic sanctions on Iran once the inspectors have verified that Iran has made good on the agreement.
At marathon talks in Lausanne, Switzerland, Federica Mogherini, the European Union foreign policy chief, called it a "decisive step." In Iran, people celebrated in the streets.
President Barack Obama planned to deliver a statement at 2:15 p.m. ET from the White House Rose Garden.
Javad Zarif, the Iranian foreign minister, told reporters that the agreement demonstrates that "we can in fact solve problems, open new horizons and move forward."
Secretary of State John Kerry, German diplomats and leaders from Iran all said that a framework had been reached.
"Back to work soon on a final deal," Kerry said on Twitter. He called it a "big day."
Iran and six world powers, including the United States, have been in negotiations since March 26 on the nuclear program, which Iran insists is peaceful. The six nations want limits on the program, and Iran wants the lifting of punishing economic sanctions.
The countries had set a deadline of Tuesday for a framework, but they blew past it and kept talking. They worked through the night into Thursday, taking a break of just a few hours for sleep.
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