Kerry says Iran must reduce nuclear capacity to ensure deal

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday, July 15, Tehran must reduce its capacity to make nuclear fuel if it wants to secure a long-term deal with six world powers that would bring an end to sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy, according to Reuters.

"We have made it crystal clear that the 19,000 (centrifuges) that are currently part of their program is too many," Kerry told reporters after three days of talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

In a New York Times interview, Zarif floated the idea of Tehran keeping its enrichment program at current levels for a few years before expanding it.

Kerry was responding to a question about a major speech by Iran's Supreme Leader, which diplomats said has limited the ability of the Iranian delegation to make concessions with the six powers and could make it difficult for Tehran to reach a deal, diplomats close to the talks said.

Zarif's proposal is consistent with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's speech from last week on Iran's long-term nuclear demands and is an idea the Iranian delegation raised in recent weeks with the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China, diplomats said.

Without going into details, Kerry made clear that Iran's proposals so far have been insufficient, though he added: "We've made progress."

"It is clear we still have more work to do and our team will continue to work very hard to try to reach a comprehensive agreement that resolves the international community's concern," he said.

Zarif said on Tuesday that he had held good talks with Kerry, though he said "Washington needs to take a political decision... to end the deadlock." He did not offer any detail.