World
The US and Iran say they are confident of reaching a deal over Tehran's nuclear programme after agreeing a seven-month extension to talks. The BBC reports:
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said a deal was close but US Secretary of State John Kerry warned that several points of disagreement remained. Six world powers want Iran to curb its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of economic sanctions.
Tehran says it is not seeking nuclear weapons, but wants atomic energy. The six countries - the US, UK, Russia, China, France and Germany - have been in negotiations with Iran to finalise a preliminary deal reached last year in Geneva.
They have now agreed to extend discussions, with the aim of reaching a high-level political agreement by 1 March, and confirming the full technical details of the agreement by 1 July. Iran would be allowed to continue accessing $700m (£450m) a month in frozen assets during that period.
A second extension of talks to curb Iran's nuclear program shows that Iran and world powers remain far apart on the key issues, yet both sides benefit from letting the negotiations continue. In an analysis, USAToday writes:
The Iranians, who received partial relief from Western sanctions a year ago for curbing some nuclear activity, will gain an additional $700 million a month in released frozen assets while the talks continue, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Monday.
A delay also gives Iran hope of further weakening sanctions that have punished its economy. German exports to Iran have increased in 2014, Iran's economy is in a modest recovery, and the nation is working on large trade deals with Russia and China.
The West gains from a continuation of the talks because it is hoping Iran will eventually agree to nuclear curbs and cooperate in the U.S.-led war against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. At the same time, both sides run risks from letting negotiations drag on.
Iran might not get a deal that will lift the onerous sanctions. The West risks allowing Iran to stall for time as it secretly grows a nuclear weapons program. If Iran were to join the nuclear weapons club, it could face military action from the United States or Israel.
