Kerry, Zarif meet for nuclear talks as deadline looms

US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Geneva on Sunday for fresh talks with his Iranian counterpart on Tehran’s nuclear programme, after warning “significant gaps” remain ahead of a key deadline.

World powers are trying to strike a deal with Iran that would prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear bomb in return for an easing of punishing international economic sanctions. Iran denies its nuclear programme has military objectives.

Kerry had been set to arrive in the Swiss city on Sunday morning for talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, but was delayed in London. US and Iranian diplomats have been meeting in Geneva since Friday, and senior negotiators from the so-called P5+1 group of Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany were also expected to meet on Sunday to help drive the talks forward. Wang Qun, director general of the arms control and disarmament department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said: Our resolve is greater than the difficulties.” 

There is a heightened sense of urgency as the clock ticks down towards a March 31 deadline to agree on a framework for the deal.