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                   Obama Urges Progress on Iran Nuclear Deal

   by VOA News

   President Barack Obama has delivered a new year's message to Iranians,
   telling them this year represents the "best opportunity in decades" to
   pursue a different relationship between their two countries.

   Obama's comments to Iranians as they celebrate Nowruz come as a March
   31 deadline approaches for reaching a framework agreement to limit
   Iran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting international sanctions
   against Tehran.

   In the video remarks, Obama urged Iran's leaders to not miss the rare
   opportunity to come up with what he called a "reasonable" nuclear deal
   that would end Iran's international isolation.

   "This moment may not come again soon. I believe that our nations have
   an historic opportunity to resolve this issue peacefully - an
   opportunity we should not miss," said Obama.

   Negotiations between Iran and six world powers have made progress,
   Obama said. "But gaps remain. And there are people in both our
   countries and beyond who oppose a diplomatic resolution," he added.

   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will meet his Iranian counterpart
   Mohammad Javad Zarif on Friday for what is supposed to be the final day
   of the current round of talks, held in Lausanne, Switzerland.

   American and European officials have said a breakthrough is not likely,
   adding the talks may be extended.
   U.S. officials are also downplaying a report suggesting Washington and
   Tehran are drafting elements of a nuclear deal that commits Iran to a
   40 percent cut in the number of machines it could use to make an atomic
   bomb.

   The Associated Press report, which quoted unnamed officials, said that
   in return Iran would get quick relief from some crippling economic
   sanctions and a partial lifting of a U.N. embargo on conventional arms.

   State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki on Thursday dismissed such
   reports as "inaccurate," and insisted there is no draft document being
   circulated. "The fundamental framework issues are still under
   comprehensive discussion, and obviously that is what the secretary [of
   State John Kerry] is focused on now."
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-urges-progress-on-iran-nuclear-
   deal/2688025.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-urges-progress-on-iran-nuclear-deal/2688025.html