UN chief congratulates all sides on achieving political framework in nuke talks

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Thursday congratulated six world powers and Iran on achieving a political framework in just concluded nuclear talks.

In a statement released by Ban's spokesperson, Ban said the framework paves way for an historic comprehensive joint plan of action to be achieved by June 30.

"That comprehensive agreement will provide for substantial limits on Iran's nuclear program and for the removal of all sanctions," said the statement.

"It will respect Iran's needs and rights while providing assurances to the international community that its nuclear activities will remain exclusively peaceful," said the statement.

Foreign ministers of the U.S. and other major powers -- Britain, France, Russia, China plus Germany -- agreed Thursday on parameters to resolve major issues on Iran's nuclear program, following eight-day-long intense negotiations in the Swiss city of Lausanne, with a view to sealing a final comprehensive pact by the end of June.

Under the parameters unveiled by the Obama administration, Iran agrees to reduce its installed centrifuges to 6,104 from some 19, 000, suspend the enrichment of uranium over 3.67 percent for at least 15 years and cut its stockpiled low-enriched uranium from about 10,000 kilograms to 300 kilograms for 15 years.

In addition, Iran allows regular access to all of its nuclear facilities for inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency, and agrees to redesign and rebuild a heavy water research reactor in Arak that will not produce weapons-grade plutonium.

In return, the U.S. and the European Union will suspend sanctions on Tehran, along with lifting of all UN Security Council 's past sanction resolutions.

Ban said he believes that a comprehensive, negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear issue will contribute to peace and stability in the region and enable all countries to cooperate urgently to deal with the many serious security challenges they face. Endite