The US struck a slightly more optimistic tone on Tuesday about possible progress in talks with Iran but joined European negotiators in pressing for urgency in rolling back the country's nuclear programme.
"There may have been some modest progress," State Department spokesman Ned Price said.
“But it is in some ways too soon to say how substantive that progress may have been. At a minimum any progress, we believe, is falling short of Iran's accelerating nuclear steps and is far too slow.”
Former president Donald Trump in 2018 withdrew the US from the nuclear accord, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and reimposed sanctions on Iran.
The latest round of talks in Vienna comes after Iran elected a new conservative government.
“This negotiation is urgent,” delegates from Britain, France and Germany said.
“We are clear that we are nearing the point where Iran's escalation of its nuclear programme will have completely hollowed out the JCPOA,” said the three countries, known as the E3 powers.
“That means we have weeks, not months, to conclude a deal before the JCPOA's core non-proliferation benefits are lost.”
Iran was in compliance with the 2015 deal before Trump's exit and for some time after, but eventually stepped up its enrichment of uranium. The country denies that it wants to acquire a nuclear arsenal.
Iran 'significantly closer' to fissile material
On Tuesday, the E3 negotiators said 60 per cent enrichment was still “unprecedented for a state without nuclear weapons”. Military-grade levels are at about 90 per cent.
“Its increasing 60 per cent stockpile is bringing Iran significantly closer to having fissile material, which could be used for nuclear weapons,” they said.
The US did not specify areas of progress but Russia, which is participating along with China and the Europeans, said a working group had a “useful meeting” on nuclear issues and informal discussions on lifting sanctions.
“We observe indisputable progress,” Moscow's ambassador to the UN in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, wrote on Twitter.
US negotiator Rob Malley is participating indirectly, with European diplomats shuttling between hotels, as Iran refuses direct contact with Washington.
Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian was quoted by state news agency IRNA on Tuesday as saying the negotiations were “on a good track". He said: "We think if other parties continue this round of the talks with good faith, reaching a good agreement for all parties is possible. If they show seriousness, in addition to the good faith, a deal can be reached soon and in the near future."
“With the goodwill and seriousness from the other parties, we can consider a quick agreement in the near future."
EU diplomat Enrique Mora said all sides were showing “a clear will to work towards the successful end” but that “very difficult” negotiations lay ahead.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3
Danilo (16'), Bernardo Silva (34'), Fernandinho (72')
Brighton & Hove Albion 1
Ulloa (20')
more from Janine di Giovanni
Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
What%20is%20cystic%20fibrosis%3F
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ECystic%20fibrosis%20is%20a%20genetic%20disorder%20that%20affects%20the%20lungs%2C%20pancreas%20and%20other%20organs.%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIt%20causes%20the%20production%20of%20thick%2C%20sticky%20mucus%20that%20can%20clog%20the%20airways%20and%20lead%20to%20severe%20respiratory%20and%20digestive%20problems.%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPatients%20with%20the%20condition%20are%20prone%20to%20lung%20infections%20and%20often%20suffer%20from%20chronic%20coughing%2C%20wheezing%20and%20shortness%20of%20breath.%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ELife%20expectancy%20for%20sufferers%20of%20cystic%20fibrosis%20is%20now%20around%2050%20years.%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
