The six world powers engaged in nuclear talks with Iran in Geneva have accepted the Islamic Republic’s right to enrich uranium, an unnamed Western diplomat says.

The Western diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told IRNA news agency on Friday that Iran and the six countries have ended their debate on the issue of enrichment in Iran with the recognition of the Islamic Republic’s right in the final agreement.

The diplomat added that Iran and the Sextet are now discussing the Arak heavy water reactor located in central Iran.

The development came hours after Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Press TV that the Islamic Republic will not negotiate its right to uranium enrichment.


“Our right to enrichment is our red line. The enrichment program that Iran has, will continue.... Any agreement should include enrichment program for Iran. We will not accept anything else other than that,” said the Iranian minister.

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the US, France, Britain, Russia and China -- plus Germany kicked off their latest round of talks on Wednesday.

The two sides are working to hammer out an interim deal to pave the ground for the resolution of the West’s decade-old standoff with Iran over the country’s nuclear energy program.

 

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