Iran nuclear talks in incertainty as Kerry intends to leave Geneva

Iran nuclear talks in incertainty as Kerry intends to leave Geneva.(HD).

Negotiations between world powers and Iran over Tehran's nuclear ambitions were thrown into uncertainty Nov. 23 after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced his imminent departure and Iran's chief negotiator expressed doubts a deal would be reached.

Amid signs that the talks in Geneva were proving difficult, Kerry's spokesman said the U.S.'s top diplomat would leave for London on Nov. 24 for meetings with British counterpart William Hague and the Libyan prime minister.

At the same time, Iranian chief negotiator Abbas Araqchi said he doubted that Tehran and the P5+1 world powers - comprising the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany - could reach an accord by the end of the day.

"Intense and difficult negotiations are under way and it is not clear whether we reach an agreement tonight," Fars news agency quoted Araqchi as saying. "The dispute is over the wording." The talks are aimed at securing a freeze on parts of Iran's nuclear programme in order to ease fears that Tehran will develop atomic weapons, in return for modest sanctions relief.

The arrival of foreign ministers including Kerry on Nov. 23 had raised hopes, after three days of intense negotiations among lower-level officials, that a breakthrough was in sight.

Kerry had decided to join the talks "with the hope that an agreement will be reached," the State Department said on Nov. 22.

Since their arrival however, officials from both sides have indicated that there are still considerable differences to be bridged.

"We have now entered a very difficult stage," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told state television, saying he would not bow to "excessive demands."

"In any agreement, [uranium] enrichment in Iran will not be suspended," Zarif said, adding that "a very difficult task" still lay ahead in clinching a deal.