Are The Iranian Nuclear Talks Just Another US vs Russia (And China) Power Game?

P5+1 European Union officials and Iranian officials wait for the start of a meeting on Iran's nuclear program at the Beau Rivage Palace Hotel in Lausanne on March 30, 2015. Reuters/Brendan Smialowski

Tyler Durden, Zero Hedge: The Iran "Talks" - Just Another US vs Russia (And China) Power Game

Update, and just as expected: IRAN NUCLEAR NEGOTIATORS MAY MISS 3RD DEADLINE: U.S. OFFICIAL

In what has been the world's longest negotiation (we are only modestly joking: the Iran P5+1 nuclear "talks" started in 2013 and have yet to achieve anything) one whose "rolling deadline" has been breached time and time again, it appears that with today's latest deadline just hours away, the most likely outcome is another deadline extension even though, as Reuters puts it, "Iran and six world powers ramped up the pace on Tuesday in negotiations over a preliminary deal on Tehran's nuclear program, while officials cautioned that any agreement would likely be fragile and incomplete."

The negotiations, which we have largely ignored covering as the past has abundantly shown that nothing ever actually gets done except for a lot of talking, posturing, gesticulating and pizza-ordering, have seen the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China trying to break an impasse in the talks, which are aimed at stopping Iran from gaining the capacity to develop a nuclear bomb in exchange for easing international sanctions that are crippling its economy.

WNU Editor: I am sure that U.S. - China - Russian politics and diplomacy between themselves are involved n these talks .... but Iran has always marched to its own tune, and I expect them to continue doing just that.

Iran Nuclear Talks News Updates -- March 31, 2015

VOA: Gaps Remain in Iran Nuclear Talks

Negotiations on curbing Iran's nuclear program entered their final hours Tuesday before a self-imposed midnight deadline, with teams from Iran and a group of six world powers trying to resolve 18 months of talks into the outline of a comprehensive agreement.

Officials in Lausanne, Switzerland, expressed a mix of hope and caution about the work that remained to overcome differences on pieces such as how long the deal should last, how quickly economic sanctions against Iran should be lifted, and what to do if Iran violates the terms.

WNU Editor: My prediction .... if past talks are any indication .... expect an announcement that they will continue their talks in a month or two.

Iran Nuclear Talks News Updates -- March 31, 2015

Officials: Iran nuke talks to continue in new phase -- AP
Iran, powers push for nuclear deal as clock ticks toward deadline -- Reuters
Report: Parties prepare to issue Iran nuke talks statement -- USA Today
Iran nuclear talks: 'Good chance' of deal as deadline looms -- BBC
Iran nuclear talks reportedly close to statement on partial agreement -- The Guardian
Iran Nuclear Envoys Near Outline Agreement, Buy More Time -- Bloomberg
Diplomats scurry to reach Iran deal before deadline -- Washington Post
Iran nuclear talks enter final day -- Al Jazeera
Deadline day for Iran nuclear talks dawns with sides far apart on key issues -- FOX News
Lavrov headed back to Iran talks, prospects 'good' -- AP
Lavrov: Chances to reach Iran nuclear deal ‘pretty good’ -- RT
Russia's Lavrov to rejoin Iran talks, sees chance of success -- Reuters
Iran nuclear "deadline" may only yield a lifeline -- CBS/AP
Iran Nuclear Talks Go To The Wire With 50-50 Chance of Success, Negotiators Say -- Huffington Post
Five hurdles to an Iran nuclear deal -- Oren Dorell, USA Today
Iran's nuclear programme: what we know -- AFP
21 questions on Iran nuclear talks: What's going on? What's at stake? -- Jethro Mullen, CNN
How Iranians see the nuclear talks -- BBC
If a deal is done, would Iran cheat? -- Jamsheed K. Choksy and Carol E.B. Choksy

Poll: Majority Of Americans Support A Nuclear Deal With Iran

Washington Post: Poll: Clear majority supports nuclear deal with Iran

By a nearly 2 to 1 margin, Americans support the notion of striking a deal with Iran that restricts the nation’s nuclear program in exchange for loosening sanctions, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds.

But the survey — released hours before Tuesday’s negotiating deadline — also finds few Americans are hopeful that such an agreement will be effective. Nearly six in 10 say they are not confident that a deal will prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, unchanged from 15 months ago, when the United States, France, Britain, Germany, China and Russia reached an interim agreement with Iran aimed at sealing a long-term deal.

Overall, the poll finds 59 percent support an agreement in which the United States and its negotiating partners lift major economic sanctions in exchange for restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program. Thirty-one percent oppose a deal.

WNU Editor: The key part of this poll is not that most Americans support a nuclear deal .... it is that few Americans believe that such an agreement will be effective.

Iran Rejects Key Demand In Nuclear Talks

Foreign ministers from other world powers joined Secretary of State John Kerry in an effort to reach the outlines of a nuclear accord with Iran by a midnight Tuesday deadline. Credit Pool photo by Brendan Smialowski

New York Times: Iran Backs Away From Key Detail in Nuclear Deal

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — With a negotiating deadline just two days away, Iranian officials on Sunday backed away from a critical element of a proposed nuclear agreement, saying they are no longer willing to ship their atomic fuel out of the country.

For months, Iran tentatively agreed that it would send a large portion of its stockpile of uranium to Russia, where it would not be accessible for use in any future weapons program. But on Sunday Iran’s deputy foreign minister made a surprise comment to Iranian reporters, ruling out an agreement that involved giving up a stockpile that Iran has spent years and billions of dollars to amass.

More News On The Iranian Nuclear Talks

Iran reportedly makes new push for uranium concessions in nuclear talks -- FOX News
Iran Wants More Nuke Concessions as Talks Hit Critical Stage -- Washington Free Beacon
With Nuclear Talks Running Out of Time, Iran Rejects Key Demand -- NBC News
Iran nuclear talks: 'Tricky issues' remain, Kerry says -- CNN
Iran and six powers entrenched as clock ticks to nuclear deadline -- Reuters
Iran Nuclear Talks Unresolved -- VOA
Iran nuclear negotiations enter final day as deadlock persists -- The Guardian
Two Issues Remain in Push for Iran Deal -- US News and World Report
Iran nuclear crisis: Six key points -- BBC
Iran nuclear deal: What are the remaining sticking points as clock ticks towards deadline -- The Independent
NEWS GUIDE: The gaps as Iran talks hit crunch time -- AP

Iran Nuclear Talks Continue -- News Updates March 30, 2015

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L), British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond (2nd L), Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (4th L), German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier (7th L), French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (8th L) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang...

Reuters/Brendan Smialowski/Pool

Reuters: Setbacks and progress as Iran, six powers meet to end nuclear impasse

(Reuters) - The foreign ministers of Iran and six world powers met on Monday in a final push for a preliminary nuclear accord less than two days before their deadline as Tehran showed signs of backing away from previous compromise offers.

For days Iran, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China have been holding negotiations to break an impasse in negotiations aimed at stopping Tehran having the capacity to develop a nuclear bomb in exchange for an easing of international sanctions that are crippling its economy.

But officials at the talks in the Swiss city of Lausanne cautioned that attempts to reach a framework accord could yet fall apart.

Update: This tells me that the deal is NOT imminent .... Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Leave Iran Nuclear Talks (WSJ)

Iran Nuclear Talks -- News Updates March 30, 2015

Iran nuclear talks at crunch time -- AP
Iran nuclear talks intensify as key deadline nears -- BBC
Iran nuclear talks continue as deadline looms -- Al Jazeera
Iran talks intensify with last-ditch attempt to reach agreement -- Washington Post
Iran nuclear talks at crucial stage as Tuesday's deadline approaches -- The Telegraph
Iran nuclear talks go down to wire -- USA Today
Iran nuclear negotiations set to escalate ahead of key deadline -- UPI
Unclear if Iran deal can be reached now, three big issues remain: diplomat -- Reuters
Iran talks blocked on three hurdles, diplomat reveals -- Al Arabiya/AFP
Deal in doubt as Iran rules out sending nuclear stocks abroad -- The Telegraph
US Says Shipping Uranium Out of Iran Is Still Part of Possible Nuclear Deal -- NYT
Iran Wants More Nuke Concessions as Talks Hit Critical Stage -- Washington Free Beacon
Iran nuclear talks: brinkmanship in Lausanne as deadline looms -- The Guardian
Germany: Still tough questions to clear up in Iran nuclear talks -- Reuters
‘I’m not paid to be optimistic’ – Lavrov at Iran talks -- RT
Russia optimistic on chances for nuclear deal with Iran in Lausanne -- Reuters
Funny You Should Ask That! Negotiators Crack Up Over Deadline Question -- Sputnik
Israeli PM lashes out as Iran nuclear talks intensify -- AFP
Netanyahu: P5+1 rewarding Iran for aggression, Israel first to be harmed -- Haaretz
Iranian Defector: 'U.S. Negotiating Team Mainly There to Speak on Iran’s Behalf' -- Weekly Standard
Centrifuges and enrichment: Get up to speed on Iran nuclear talks -- Jeremy Diamond, CNN
Almost all the nations trying to keep Iran from a nuclear bomb have lots of nuclear bombs -- Peter Gelling, Global Post

Iranian Nuclear Talks Enter A Critical Weekend

New York Times: Hurdles Loom in Iran Nuclear Talks, U.S. Official Says

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — A senior State Department official said Friday night that the negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program had turned difficult and that an initial accord would not be possible unless the Iranian leadership made “tough decisions” over the coming days.

“Yesterday’s and today’s talks have been tough and very serious,” the official said. “We’re at that point in the negotiations where we really need to see decisions being made. We will test whether that is truly possible over the next several days.”

The sober tone of the assessment was starkly different from one provided Wednesday night to reporters traveling on Secretary of State John Kerry’s flight to Switzerland. At that time, the official said the Obama administration saw “a path forward” that could enable negotiators to achieve an agreement by Tuesday.

WNU Editor: The Israelis are stunned with what is happening .... Israeli official brands emerging Iran deal as ‘incomprehensibly’ bad (Times of Israel). The French are clearly not on board .... Exclusive: Paris Saying ‘Non’ to U.S. Control of Peace Process (Foreign Policy). And the Saudis are hinting that they will will now probably develop their own nuclear program .... Saudi Ambassador To US Hints That Saudi Arabia May Develop Nuclear Weapons. And we (the public) still do not what are the details that are being discussed.

More News On The Iranian Nuclear Talks Entering A Critical Weekend

Iran Nuclear Talks Could Push Past Deadline -- WSJ
Iran, powers close in on 2-3 page nuclear deal; success uncertain -officials -- Reuters
Marathon talks held as Iranian nuclear negotiations enter final round -- Haaretz
Time for Iran to make tough decisions in nuclear talks: U.S. -- Reuters
U.S. puts onus on Iran to reach nuclear deal -- CNN
Iran Nuclear Deal Would Start Untangling Web of Sanctions -- VOA
Factbox: Key issues in Iran nuclear talks with world powers -- Reuters
Emerging details of possible Iranian nuclear deal draw bipartisan ire -- FOX News
Iran nuclear talks: what will we know and when will we know it? -- Julian Borger, The Guardian

U.S. Military Officials Are Now Saying That Our Allies No Longer Trust Us Because Of Fears That Intel Might Be Leaked To Iran

Washington Times: Military Officials Say Allies No Longer Trust Us, Fear Intel Might Leak to Iran

NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel said Friday that military officials believe U.S. allies in the Middle East no longer trust the Obama administration with sensitive intelligence information.

Mr. Engel was asked to explain the complexity U.S. foreign policy as it pertains to Iran and its effect on diplomacy in the region.

The Obama administration is fighting Iran-backed actors in the Middle East while backing others — sometimes within the same country — all while trying to negotiate a deal on its nuclear program before the end of the month. The U.S. also backs Saudi Arabia’s strikes on Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen, although officials were caught flat-footed on the Arab nation’s decision.

Update: Richard Engel: Military Officials Say Allies No Longer Trust Us, Fear Intel Might Leak to Iran -- Washington Free Beacon

WNU Editor: This is a devastating assessment from NBC reporter Richard Engel on the situation with our allies created by the Obama administrations in its desire to make a nuclear deal with Iran. The above video is a must see.

What Will This Iran Nuclear Deal Look Like?

Key nuclear facilities in Iran, most of which are impacted by the ongoing nuclear deal with the six superpowers of the P5+1 Group – the United States, Great Britain, France, China and Russia, plus Germany. After the International Institute of Strategic Studies (http://www.iiss.org/).

AFP: What an Iran nuclear deal could look like

US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart meet in Switzerland on Thursday for a final round of talks before a March 31 deadline to agree the outlines of an elusive nuclear deal.

This "framework" accord -- no one knows how detailed it will be -- is meant to be fleshed out into a comprehensive agreement by July 1 that severely restricts Iran's ability to obtain nuclear weapons.

Here are the possible contours of such an agreement, which Iran and the US, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany (the P5+1) have been negotiating since late 2013.

WNU Editor: It is hard to speculate on the details of a nuclear deal when much of it is still shrouded in secrecy .... but these reports are troubling .... AP Exclusive: Iran may run centrifuges at fortified site (AP).

Update: US proposes to let Iran operate fortified nuclear site - reports -- RT

Report: Iran Nuclear Deal To Be Reached This Weekend

Bloomberg: Negotiators at Iran Talks Said to Aim for Weekend Agreement

(Bloomberg) -- Negotiators aim to conclude a framework agreement over Iran’s nuclear program by March 29, diplomats said, as envoys reported progress after talks resumed in Switzerland.

Reaching an understanding by Sunday is a best-case scenario and the sides may be forced to go until March 31, according to three European and U.S. officials, who asked not to be named in line with diplomatic rules. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is provisionally scheduled to attend an event with President Barack Obama and Senate leaders on March 30.

Kerry resumed talks on Thursday with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at the Beau Rivage Palace on the shores of Lake Geneva in Lausanne. If an agreement is reached, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and top diplomats from China, France, Germany, and the U.K. will join them to formalize the pact, a spokesman for Russia’s foreign ministry told reporters.

More News On Reports That An Iranian Nuclear Deal Could Be Reached This Weekend

Diplomats voice optimism on reaching Iran deal by Tuesday deadline -- CNN
Good prospects for Iran nuclear deal, but obstacles remain -- Deutsche Welle
Iran upbeat about reaching ground-breaking nuclear deal as talks hit final stretch -- Sydney Morning Herald
Iran's Rouhani in diplomatic drive to push nuclear deal -- AFP
Putin, Rouhani express 'hope for success' at Iran talks: Kremlin -- Daily Star/AFP
Rouhani speaks with French, British, Russian leaders as nuclear talks resume -- Reuters
Iran President Speaks With French, British, Russian Leaders -- Radio Free Europe
UK and Iran agree framework Iran nuclear deal possible by month-end -- Reuters

Update: It appears that the U.S. has made major concessions .... U.S. Caves to Key Iranian Demands as Nuke Deal Comes Together (Washington Free Beacon).

Iran Does Not Want An Actual Written Accord On Its Nuclear Program

John Kerry and Mohammad Javad Zarif in Lausanne. Kerry has urged Iran to make concessions that would lift sanctions in exchange for restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear programme. Photograph: Reuters

New York Times: In Nuclear Talks, Iran Seeks to Avoid Specifics

PARIS — If an agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear capability is reached by deadline in the next seven days, one thing may be missing: an actual written accord, signed by the Iranians.

Over the past few weeks, Iran has increasingly resisted any kind of formal “framework” agreement at this stage in the negotiations, preferring a more general statement of “understanding” followed by a final accord in June, according to Western diplomats involved in the talks.

Should that position hold — one of the many unknowns of the coming days — the United States and its five negotiating partners may find themselves in the uncomfortable position of describing the accord as they understand it while the Iranians go home to offer their own version.

WNU Editor: This apparently is where we are right now on an Iranian nuclear deal ....

.... If an agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear capability is reached by deadline in the next seven days, one thing may be missing: an actual written accord, signed by the Iranians.

If this New York Times article is accurate .... it appears that the U.S. and Iran are going to have a "gentleman's agreement" rather than a written agreement .... and as to specifics .... it will even be more murky.

And President Obama's allies are wondering why he has few allies on this issue ?!?!?!.... Obama has few allies on Iran (The Hill).

Update: It looks like an Iranian accord is about to be reached .... Kerry flies to Switzerland for make-or-break Iran nuke talks (AP).

U.S. Politicians Contradict White House Statements That They Were Briefed By Israel On Iranian Nuclear Deals

The Guardian: Alleged Israeli spying on Iran talks leaves members of Congress unmoved

* ‘Baffled’ John Boehner denies receiving information from Israel
* Senator Graham: ‘If they’re spying, they’re not telling me about it’

US politicians have downplayed a report that the Obama administration accused Israel of spying on international negotiations with Iran in order to sway members of Congress against an emerging nuclear deal.

The Wall Street Journal cited a senior administration official who accused Israeli officials of eavesdropping on the talks and obtaining information from confidential US briefings. Israeli officials then selectively leaked the information to lawmakers on Capitol Hill as part of a broader effort by the prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, to sink the deal, the official said.

Previous Post: Israel Spied On The U.S. - Iran Nuclear Talks

WNU Editor: If true .... one has to wonder why the White House reacted in such a manner .... what details are they afraid of being leaked?

No Promises From The U.S. Government That Americans Will See The Details Of An Iranian Nuclear Deal Before It Is Signed

Weekly Standard: State Won't Promise to Tell Americans Iran Deal Details Before It's 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered'

In an interview this evening on Fox News, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki would not promise that Americans would get to see the details of a nuclear deal with Iran before it's "signed, sealed, delivered."

Fox host Greta Van Susteren asked, "When there is a proposed deal, will the American people get sort of a real strong briefing on it before it's actually signed, sealed, and delivered so that we can have our thought whether it's a good deal, bad deal, so we can have some input? Or is this going to be signed and then we are going to hear about it?"

WNU Editor: This reminds me of living in the old Soviet Union .... do not question what we do, you do not need to know what we are doing, we decide what is best, you better do what we say, and we are definitely not interested in your input.

As to how the Iranian nuclear talks are being conducted .... I can understand that some minor treaties and agreements may not need to go through the public process until an agreement is done .... but the Iranian nuclear talks are a big thing .... it involves nuclear weapons, nuclear proliferation, and will directly impact all of our vital interests in the Middle East. To have these talks done in complete secrecy .... and then being essentially told that we will have to accept the agreement once signed .... this stinks to high heaven in every way and shows a complete contempt from the White House to those who may disagree with it's policies on Iran.

U.S. Congress Sends Letter To President Obama Expressing Their Concerns On Iran

CNN: 367 House lawmakers warn Obama on Iran

Washington (CNN)A veto-proof, bipartisan majority of House lawmakers have signed an open letter to President Barack Obama warning him that any nuclear deal with Iran will effectively require congressional approval for implementation.

A group of bipartisan senators have penned a bill mandating that any deal be reviewed and approved by Congress, but the House letter notes that lawmakers have another way to halt an agreement — by refusing to roll back sanctions.

WNU Editor: For any U.S. - Iranian deal to come into force, Congress will need to vote to abolish the sanctions .... that is their leverage. The letter is here.

More News On The U.S. Congress Warning President Obama On Any Iranian Nuclear Deal

Grave Issues on Iran Cited by 367 House Members in Letter -- Bloomberg
367 House members warn Obama on Iran -- The Hill
367 House members send letter on Iranian nuclear negotiations to Obama -- Washington Times
367 House Members Send Letter to Obama on Iran’s ‘Pathway to Bomb’ -- PJ Media
Veto-Proof Majority of House Sends Obama Letter on Iran -- Breitbart
Senator McCain threatens to block Iran nuclear deal -- Haaretz

Can Iran be Trusted With A Nuclear Deal?

New York Times: Unstated Factor in Iran Talks: Threat of Nuclear Tampering

WASHINGTON — In late 2012, just as President Obama and his aides began secretly sketching out a diplomatic opening to Iran, American intelligence agencies were busy with a parallel initiative: The latest spy-vs.-spy move in the decade-long effort to sabotage Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Investigators uncovered an Iranian businessman’s scheme to buy specialty aluminum tubing, a type the United States bans for export to Iran because it can be used in centrifuges that enrich uranium, the exact machines at the center of negotiations entering a crucial phase in Switzerland this week.

But if negotiators succeed in reaching a deal with Iran, does the huge, covert sabotage effort by the United States, Israel and some European allies come to an end?

WNU Editor: It is hard to trust Iran .... especially when Iranian leaders in the past boasted that they had broken their nuclear agreements/pledges. But in the end .... an Iranian agreement will be based on inspections and verification. If there is any compromise on any of these points .... I fail to see how this agreement can withstand the test of time .... even with a concerted and intense intelligence and surveillance focus on Iranian nuclear installations from the West.

Iran Supreme Leader Khamenei: 'Death To America'

Euronews/AP/Reuters: ‘Death to America’: Iran’s Supreme Leader accuses the US of ‘bullying’

The deadline is looming for a deal to be struck on Iran’s nuclear programme and it seems the country’s Supreme Leader is feeling the pressure.

Ali Khamenei has the last word on all matters of state. Long mistrustful of Tehran’s main negotiating partner in the ongoing talks, he used a recent speech in Iran’s second-largest city Mashdad, to lash out at the US.

During his discourse in the Imam Reza Shrine, he accused Washington of ‘bullying’ and trying to turn Iranians against Islamic rule.

WNU Editor: How the western press is covering this story is fascinating. Many are mentioning that Iran's supreme leader supports the current nuclear talks .... but are omitting the fact that in today's speech when the crowd chanted "Death to America" .... he responded back .... "Yes .... Death To America". I am sorry to those who are eager for a deal .... but I am old enough to know that this is a person you do not deal with .... that the best course is to walk away. You keep the sanctions in place .... if not even more .... threaten those who do business with Iran that they have a choice .... you can do business with us to you can business with Iran .... but not both .... and you make it very clear that if an atomic bomb goes off in Tel Aviv or in a Western city and there is an Iranian signature .... expect extreme retaliation.

More News On Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei

Iran's top leader rejects U.S. 'bullying' in nuclear talks -- Reuters
Khamenei calls ‘Death to America’ as Kerry hails progress on nuke deal -- Times Of Israel/AP/AFP
As crowd chants 'Death to America,' Khamenei backs nuclear talks -- L.A. Times
Ayatollah: Iran nuke talks 'fraudulent' -- The Hill

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry: Substantial Progress Made With Iran

Bloomberg: Iran Talks Parties See Agreement Possible as Differences Remain

(Bloomberg) -- A final agreement is possible in Iran’s nuclear talks, even as differences remain before diplomats return to the negotiating table to seek a resolution next week, both sides said on Saturday.

After six days of discussions in Lausanne, Switzerland, ended without a deal on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said “substantial progress” had been made. Negotiators from the U.S. and five other nations are seeking to ensure that the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program is peaceful in exchange for relief from sanctions that have hobbled Iran’s economy.

“We have not yet reached the finish line, but make no mistake, we have the opportunity to try to get this right,” Kerry said Saturday at the International Olympic Committee’s museum on a hill above Lake Geneva. “It’s a matter of political will and tough decision-making.”

More News On The Iranian Nuclear Talks

Kerry says progress made in nuclear talks, time to make tough decisions -- Reuters
Kerry Pushes Iran Nuclear Deal Timetable Amid Differences With France -- NYT
Iran Nuclear Talks: 'Stakes Are High' Despite Progress, Kerry Says -- NBC
John Kerry Says ‘Fundamental Decisions’ Must Be Taken in Iran Nuclear Talks -- WSJ
U.S., Iran cite progress in nuke talks, but deal unclear -- USA Today
Iran's Rouhani says nuclear issues can all be resolved: IRNA -- Reuters
Iranian president Rouhani: Final nuclear deal possible -- AP
Iran's Rouhani Says Nuclear Deal Issues Can Be Resolved -- IBTimes
Next round of Iran nuclear talks to start on March 26 - Russia -- Reuters

Latest Iranian Nuclear Talks Are Postponed Until Next Week

New York Times: Latest Round of Iran Nuclear Talks Ends

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The latest round of talks on limiting Iran’s nuclear program ended Friday without an initial accord, diplomats involved in the talks said.

The Iranian delegation is leaving for Tehran for the funeral of President Hassan Rouhani’s mother. Saturday is also Nowruz, the Iranian New Year.

Secretary of State John Kerry plans to travel on Saturday for a meeting in Europe to discuss the negotiations with his counterparts from Britain, France and Germany; the specific location has yet to be announced. Mr. Kerry will then fly to Washington so that he can meet early next week with President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan, who will make an official visit to the United States.

But Mr. Kerry plans to return to Switzerland for the resumption of the talks with Iran next Wednesday, in what is expected to be the critical round.

WNU Editor: It is hard to comment on these talks and negotiations when the talks and the details behind the talks are secret .... but (if John Kerry is to be believed) it looks like a deal is almost there. On a side note .... President Obama goes and makes a video presentation to the Iranian people comparing Iran's hardliners with American skeptics of his Iran policy. I thought I have heard of everything when it comes to U.S.-Iran relations .... especially on its critics/skeptics .... but this is a new one.

More News On The Latest Round Of Iranian Talks Ending

Deadlocked Iran nuclear talks set to break off, resume next week -- Reuters
Iran nuclear talks reportedly hit snag over lifting of sanctions as Obama makes appeal to Iran's people -- FOX News
Iran Nuclear Talks Lag, With Status of New Centrifuges Another Hurdle -- NYT
'Intensive' Iran nuclear talks head for deadline -- AFP
European negotiator says framework accord with Iran unlikely soon -- Reuters
Iran nuclear talks break unexpectedly but top Russian official says sides are close to deal -- FOX News/AP
Iran nuclear talks hit snag -- The Hill
European Diplomat Denies Iran’s Assertion That Framework Nuclear Deal is Close -- Algemeiner
Iran Nuclear Talks Enter Recess to Discuss 'Progress': Kerry -- NBC
Nuclear negotiators take break after trading greetings on Persian new year -- Washington Post
AP Exclusive: Draft Agreement Cuts Iran's Nuclear Hardware -- AP
Iranian nuclear delegation return to Tehran on Friday: Iranian official -- Reuters
Kerry to meet European counterparts on Iran talks on Saturday -- Reuters
Merkel: need successful, credible outcome of Iran nuclear talks -- Reuters
Obama to Iran: Nuclear deal would bring "brighter future" -- CBS
In Video, Obama Appeals to Iranian Youth on Nuclear Deal -- NYT
Iran nuclear talks 'a historic opportunity' says Obama in YouTube appeal -- The Guardian
Obama Urges Progress on Iran Nuclear Deal -- VOA
Iran still honoring terms of interim nuclear deal: U.N. report -- Reuters
Iran Nuclear Talks: 10 Key Sticking Points -- Business Insider
Key issues in Iran nuclear talks with world powers -- Reuters

Iran Nuclear Talks Continue

Secretary of State John F. Kerry, second from left, meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, right, and others in Lausanne, Switzerland, on March 18, 2015, to discuss Iran's nuclear program. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

The Guardian: Showdown in Lausanne: Iran nuclear talks enter their final stretch

The Iranians are bullish and the Americans are cautious thirteen days before deadline. Meanwhile, the Netanyahu win in Israel has cast an air of uncertainty and urgency over the negotiations on the shores of Lake Geneva

At each stage of the Iranian nuclear negotiations the luxury hotel venues have grown steadily posher. The Beau-Rivage Palace Hotel in Lausanne represents a new peak. An imposing edifice on the banks of Lake Geneva, crammed with solid marble and surrounded by sprawling lawns, it is where the Treaty of Lausanne was signed in 1923, marking the final death rites for the Ottoman Empire and defining the borders of modern Turkey.

More News On The Current Iranian Nuclear Talks

U.S., Iran race to fill out contours of a nuclear agreement. -- Washington Times
Progress reported in Iran nuclear talks. -- CBS
U.S. sees progress in Iran nuclear talks as deadline nears -- CNN
Iran and U.S. Differ on Optimism About Nuclear Talks -- NYT
Iran Nuclear Negotiator’s Style and Intent Create a Mystery -- Bloomberg
In Iran Nuclear Talks, Two MIT-Connected Physicists Play Key Roles -- WSJ

Update #1: He is probably right .... Iran, West likely to reach nuclear deal: Saudi prince says. -- Reuters
Update #2: Iran’s foreign minister says no nuclear pact this week -- Washington Post

Iranian Nuclear Talks Continue

L.A. Times: Iran nuclear talks still far from a deal, officials say

Hopes are fading that the outline of a landmark deal to limit Iran’s nuclear program will be completed this week, as western officials emphasize a long list of obstacles that continue to block progress.

Sunday, as negotiators for the United States and Iran gathered here, some diplomats and observers had predicted that the outline of a deal could be announced by Friday. But in briefings Tuesday, officials struck a more pessimistic tone about the talks, which involve Iran, the United States and five other world powers.

“We still have a way to go,” a senior administration official told reporters. “We still have some tough technical issues to address.”

More News On Current Iranian Nuclear Talks

Iran Optimistic About Talks, Meeting Deadline -- VOA/AP
Iranians Optimistic About Nuclear Talks -- Radio Free Europe
Iran, U.S. line up technical options as push for deal intensifies -- Reuters
Nuclear talks tackle ‘technical’ details as deadline nears -- Washington Post
'Ways to go' in Iran nuclear talks as time runs short -- AFP
Iran's Foreign Minister Says Gaps Remain In Nuclear Talks -- Radio Free Europe
Iran Talks Advance, But Anything May Be Deal Breaker, U.S. Says -- Bloomberg
Iran, US Close on Nuclear Deal, No Solution Yet – Tehran -- Sputnik
U.S.-Iran nuclear talks enter third day with more countries to join -- Xinhua
Key questions in Iran nuclear talks with world powers -- Reuters

The West Is Hoping For Iranian Nuclear Concessions

Reuters: West hopes for Iran concessions in nuclear talks

(Reuters) - Western powers are hoping for concessions from Tehran that could help clinch a political agreement in nuclear talks this week after the United States and European powers voiced a willingness to compromise on suspending U.N. sanctions, officials said.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif were due to meet in Lausanne, Switzerland, later on Sunday to break the logjam ahead of a crucial round of talks between Iran and six major powers.

Kerry has urged Iran to take decisions now to enable them to clinch a political framework agreement for a nuclear deal with Tehran that would lift sanctions in exchange for curbs on Tehran's nuclear program ahead of an end-March deadline. The parties have set a June 30 deadline to finalize an accord.

WNU Editor: Quoting Hillary Clinton .... "Hope is not a strategy".