French FM hopeful that Iran nuclear framework will be reached ahead of deadline

World Today

Amid last-minute calls for compromise in the Iran nuclear talks, French foreign minister Laurent Fabius has said a deal’s possible, but Tehran must make what he called ‘new efforts.’ He told reporters he wanted more transparency in the historic framework agreement to guarantee Iran’s nuclear program had no possible military dimensions. Iran has always denied that its nuclear research is for anything other than peaceful purposes.

CCTV’s Richard Bestic filed this report from Lausanne, Switzerland.

Highlights:

  • The French Foreign minister said he wanted a ‘robust deal’ that’ll survive a rigorous verification process in the years ahead. He described the talks as long and tough, but insisted agreement would need further progress from Iran.
  • Fabius said Tuesday’s deadline for the tortuous negotiations was not final. The U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who has played lead role in the talks opposite Iran’s foreign minister Javad Zarif, would prefer the talks didn’t drag on.
  • If Iran and the six powers represented around the table can reach agreement it would be historic, ending a 10-year stand- off.