Iran, major powers strike nuclear deal
Vienna
Major powers and Iran struck a historic deal Tuesday aimed at ensuring Tehran does not acquire a nuclear bomb, in return for sanctions relief, a diplomat close to the talks said.
The breakthrough came on the 18th day of marathon talks between Tehran and the so-called P5+1 -- the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany in Vienna.
"The agreement is concluded," the diplomat said in the Austrian capital, where a final ministerial meeting between Iran and the world powers was called for 0830 GMT.
EU spokeswoman Catherine Ray said on Twitter that a press conference would follow.
The deal is expected to sharply curb Iran's nuclear programme and impose strict UN inspections in order to make any drive to make nuclear weapons all but impossible and easily detectable.
In return, the web of UN and Western sanctions choking Iranian oil exports and the economy of the 78-million-strong country would be progressively lifted.
The diplomatic push began when Iranian President Hassan Rouhani came to power in 2013. In November that year an interim deal was agreed but two deadlines in 2014 for a lasting accord were missed.
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