DHAKA: US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Saturday that world powers were ‘united’ in their nuclear talks with Iran, amid speculation of splits with France, and stressed that he would not rush into a bad deal.

‘I emphasise: We are united in our goal, our approach, our resolve and our determination to ensure that Iran’s programme is entirely peaceful,’ Kerry said in Switzerland before leaving for London for talks with his British, French and German counterparts.
France has expressed scepticism over the speed of a potential deal in which Iran would place its controversial nuclear programme under severe restrictions in exchange for a stage-by-stage lifting of international sanctions.

Kerry sought to reassure that Washington was not trying to pressure partners into an agreement, saying ‘we have worked long and hard to achieve an agreement that resolves concerns on Iran's programme’.

He said Iran still has to do more to prove that it would abide by a deal and that ‘important gaps remain’, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1934 HRS, MAR 21, 2015