Kerry to join Iran nuke talks to help “narrow differences”

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is to fly to join negotiations in Geneva on Iran's nuclear programme, amid rising expectation of a breakthrough, BBC News reported.

Kerry had been on a tour of the Middle East, but changed his plans at the invitation of the EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

Iran's foreign minister said a deal could be reached on Friday, November 8.

The talks bring together world powers - the five permanent Security Council members plus Germany (P5+1) - and Iran.

The BBC's Kim Ghattas, who is travelling with Kerry, says his dramatic decision to change his travel plans and go to Geneva is a clear sign that a deal with Iran may be within reach.

A senior state department official told the BBC that he was going "to help narrow differences in negotiations" between Iran and the 5P+1.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told CNN on Thursday that Iran would not suspend uranium enrichment completely but could "deal with the various issues on the table".

The West suspects Iran's uranium enrichment programme is a step towards building nuclear weapons.

On Thursday, the U.S. confirmed some sanctions relief was being offered in return for "concrete, verifiable measures".

But Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said a nuclear deal would be a "historic" mistake, accusing Iran of only offering fake concessions.

Kerry is due to meet Netanyahu early on Friday before flying to Geneva.