GENEVA
The five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany reached an interim agreement with Iran on its disputed nuclear program after four days of the third round of nuclear talks in Geneva.
"We have reached agreement between E3+3 and Iran," Michael Mann, spokesperson for EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, said on his Twitter account, quoting the top EU diplomat.
In the six-month interim deal to curb Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for limited sanctions relief, Iran agreed to limit nuclear activities in return for relief from some $6.1 billion in sanctions that have hurt its economy.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described the deal as "what could turn out to be the beginnings of a historic agreement."
Ban's spokesperson said in a press release that the UN chief "warmly welcomed the interim agreement that has been reached in Geneva this night regarding the nuclear program of Iran."
He congratulated the negotiators for the progress made in "what could turn out to be the beginnings of a historic agreement for the peoples and nations of the Middle East region and beyond."
Ban also urged the governments concerned to "do everything possible to build on this encouraging start, creating mutual confidence and allowing continued negotiations to extend the scope of the initial agreement, reaffirming his unswerving commitment to strengthening nuclear disarmament and the non-proliferation regime."
The secretary-general called on all members of the international community to support this process "which, if allowed to succeed, is likely to be to the long-term benefit of all parties."
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