Iran and P5+1 nuclear talks resume in Geneva

Negotiations between world powers and Iran on the future of Tehran's nuclear programme are entering a second day.

It follows what a US senior official called a 'positive' first meeting between the two sides on Wednesday.

A number of key sticking points remain to be resolved, with the US cautioning it will not rush into any deal.

Negotiators are discussing an interim agreement which could see Iran curb uranium enrichment in return for the easing of some international sanctions.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, but some world powers suspect it is seeking a nuclear weapons capability.

'Buying time'

The Geneva talks, which are scheduled to conclude on Friday, involve Iran and representatives of the P5+1 - the US, UK, France, China and Russia, plus Germany.

Negotiating positions for interim deal P5+1 wants Iran to: Halt uranium enrichment to medium level of purity, or 20% Reduce concentration of existing stockpile of 20%-enriched uranium or convert it to oxide form Not allow Arak heavy-water reactor to go into operation Commit to permitting more inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Iran wants the P5+1 to: Recognise its 'right' to enrich uranium End international and unilateral sanctions

The sides failed to agree a deal at a previous round of talks earlier this month.

The first plenary session on Wednesday was brief and introductory, focusing mainly on the process of the negotiations.

Iranian negotiator Abbas Araqchi told Iran's Fars news agency talks on any draft agreement would probably only begin on Thursday.

A number of bilateral meetings followed, including one between the EU's foreign policy chief, Baroness Catherine Ashton, and Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Mr Zarif described the meeting as 'good'.

However, Secretary of State John Kerry said the US would not let any deal be used by Iran as a ploy to 'buy time' to increase its nuclear capability.

Mr Kerry described the negotiations as the 'best chance in a decade to halt progress and roll back Iran's programme'.

The US has said an interim agreement would see the bulk of international and US sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme remain in place.

The essence of the deal would involve Iran halting advances of its nuclear programme and agreeing to 'more vigorous inspections' in return for 'a very modest amount of relief'.

Concerns about the heavy-water reactor Iran is building at Arak was one of the factors that prevented agreement at the first round of talks.

Iran's insistence on formal recognition of its right to enrich uranium was another.

As talks opened on Wednesday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran would not step back 'one iota' from what he said were its nuclear rights.

Ayatollah Khamenei, who has the final say in nuclear matters, said there were 'red lines' his negotiators were expected to respect.