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Big progress made in ongoing nuke talks: source

Xinhua, July 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

Big progress was made in certain issue of the nuclear talks, while work is still needed in a few remaining issues, a diplomatic source told Xinhua on Friday.

The western states and Tehran have almost agreed on the clarification of the alleged Iran's past nuclear weapon program, the so called possible military dimensions (PMDs) issues and big progress was also made over capping Iran's nuclear capability in the deal, said the source.

UN nuclear watchdog accused that Tehran might have carried out nuclear bomb research program, PMDs, under the disguise of its civilian program, while Iran rejects the allegation. Iran and the agency agreed to resolve the PMDs issues but the progress is slow.

Western states decided to extend the Geneva interim deal till next Monday, keeping suspension of some sanctions to be imposed on Tehran, making the last diplomatic efforts to resolve the disputed Iran nuclear issue.

The big progress in capping Iran's nuclear capacity in the deal indicates there could be a breakthrough on defining Iran's advanced centrifuge research in the future.

Western states fear that once Iran own advanced centrifuges, Tehran would have greater breakout capability, but Iran sees the research and development of nuclear plan as its nuclear right. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry made positive remarks over the talks, saying the atmosphere is very constructive, said media reports.

The source said a big challenge now is how to choose the key words in the text, the parties still need time to work on it.

Foreign ministers from world powers are coming back to rejoin the talks in the coming days. Iran and the five UN Security Council permanent members plus Germany have been negotiating over the past 18 moths to reach a long-term deal over Tehran's controversial atomic plan.

On Thursday, Kerry warned U.S. could walk away if no tough decision are made while Iran accused western states of changing their positions in the final days of the talks. Progress was also made in the arms embargo of the UN sanctions on Iran, a heated issue in the resent talks.

"There are a few remaining issue which needed to be resolved," the source said, adding the parties would try hard to bridge gaps in the coming days. Endite