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            Kerry Says Progress of Tehran's Nuclear Program 'Halted'

   by Pamela Dockins

   The world powers involved in nuclear negotiations with Iran have
   "halted" the progress of Tehran's nuclear program, according to
   Secretary of State John Kerry.

   In testimony before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee Tuesday, Kerry
   said the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council
   and Germany, the so-called P5 + 1, had gained "unprecedented insight"
   into Iran's nuclear activities.

   "We expect to know soon whether Iran is willing to put together an
   acceptable and verifiable plan," said Kerry.

   Kerry's commented a day after returning from Geneva, where he held
   talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and other
   officials on a proposed accord limiting Iran's nuclear activities while
   giving it relief from international sanctions.

   Negotiators are trying to reach a framework agreement by the end of
   March and come to terms on a permanent deal by the end of June to
   remove concerns about Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons.

   Iranian role in Yemen

   During Tuesday's testimony, Kerry was also asked about Iran's broader
   influence in the region.

   During a sharp line of questioning, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham
   pressed Kerry about Iran's influence in Yemen, Syria and Bahrain.

   Asked if Yemen's government collapsed because of Iran's backing for the
   country's Shi'ite Houthi rebels, Kerry said he believed Iran's support
   of the group contributed to Yemen's collapse, "without any question."

   But Kerry added that Iran has been surprised by the events in Yemen and
   is hoping for some form of national dialogue there.

   Houthi rebels overran Sana'a in September and formally took power this
   month, after President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi announced he was
   resigning.

   Kerry on Iranian Influence in Syria, Bahrain

   Senator Graham also asked Kerry if he believed Syrian President Bashar
   al-Assad was a "puppet" of the Iranian regime. Kerry replied, "pretty
   much."

   But in response to a question about Bahrain, Kerry declined to say if
   he believed Iran was trying to destabilize the country. He said he
   believed there had been Iranian influence in Bahrain but was not sure
   of the extent.

   The Shi'ite majority opposition in Bahrain has long sought a greater
   political role from the country's Sunni rulers.

   When asked if Iran has been actively trying to produce an
   Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, Kerry said "that is the subject of
   a classified conversation."

   Kerry's answers on Iran and its regional influence were part of his
   testimony on President Barack Obama's proposed budget for the State
   Department for fiscal 2016.

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   -program-halted/2657121.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-says-progress-of-tehran-nuclear-program-halted/2657121.html