Iran rejects US claim it baulked at nuclear deal

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Source: Sydney Morning Herald

"The P5+1 was unified on Saturday when we presented our proposal to the Iranians ... But Iran couldn't take it," Mr Kerry said in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

Russia backed Iran, however, saying it was not to blame for the failure to reach agreement.

"The draft joint document suited the Iranian side. But since decisions at negotiations are taken by consensus, it was not possible to make a final deal," a foreign ministry source said in comments carried by Russian news agencies.

"And this was not the fault of the Iranians," the source said.

Diplomats insist that they remain close to a deal, however, and the talks are to resume in Geneva on November 20 at the lower level of political directors.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/iran-rejects-us-claim-it-baulked-at-nuclear-deal-20131113-2xf56.html

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1. Al Jazeera: Kerry opposes additional sanctions on Iran

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2013/11/kerry-additional-sanctions-iran-nuclear-2013111219228948706.html

Secretary of State John Kerry believes it would be a "mistake" for the US Congress to impose additional sanctions on Iran now amid negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear programme, a State Department spokeswoman said.

Jen Psaki said Kerry, who will hold a closed-door briefing on Iran at the Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday, wants a "temporary pause" in the imposition of additional sanctions on Tehran by US lawmakers to give diplomacy a chance.

Iran and six world powers - the US, Britain, Russia, France, China and Germany - came close to a preliminary nuclear agreement at the weekend during talks in Geneva and decided to resume negotiations on November 20 in their attempt to defuse a decade-old standoff.

Press TV, Opposing Iran deal could lead to war: White House