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              Iran, World Powers Hold 'Substantive' Nuclear Talks

   by Reuters

   Six world powers and Iran began "substantive" talks on Tuesday in
   pursuit of a final settlement on Tehran's contested nuclear program in
   the coming months despite caveats from both sides that a breakthrough
   deal may prove impossible.

   Senior U.S. and Iranian officials met separately for 80 minutes on the
   sidelines of the negotiations in Vienna.

   Details were not given, but such bilateral talks were inconceivable
   before the 2013 election of Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate, as
   president of Iran. U.S.-Iranian dialogue is seen as crucial to any
   breakthrough nuclear agreement.

   "The conversation was productive and focused mainly on how the
   comprehensive talks will proceed from here," a senior U.S. State
   Department official said on condition of anonymity after Under
   Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman's meeting with
   Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

   Sherman headed the U.S. delegation, while Iranian Foreign Minister
   Mohammad Javad Zarif and Araqchi led Tehran's negotiating team at the
   table with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United
   States.

   After Sherman's meeting with Araqchi, the Iranians met on Tuesday
   evening with all six powers to continue talks on how to approach future
   negotiations, diplomats said. The discussions will resume on Wednesday.

   "Much of the first day was focused on discussions about process for how
   the comprehensive talks will proceed," a senior U.S. official said. "We
   made clear that every issue is on the table as part of the
   comprehensive negotiations, and now it's time to dig into the details
   and get to work."

   In the evening session between Iran and the six "substantive issues
   began to be discussed", the U.S. official added.

   The Americans and Iranians have played down expectations for the talks.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-iran-powers-hold-substantive-nuclear-talks-us-iranians-meet/1854278.html