Iran and world powers are still trying to remove obstacles to an interim deal on Tehran’s nuclear programme, on the third day of talks in Geneva.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is coordinating the negotiations on behalf of the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany,

This morning, she met Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif again to try to narrow
differences.

Agreement looked close at a previous meeting two weeks ago but Iran’s insistence that world powers recognise its right to enrich uranium – something that can be used in both civilian and military nuclear programmes – has proved a difficult issue to deal with.

The talks are aimed at a deal that would curb the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme in exchange for some let-up on sanctions.

Our correspondent in Geneva, Fariba Mavaddat, said the optimistic tone continues at the talks and that a source in the Iranian delegation told her that this morning’s negotiations were positive – adding that the talks might well be extended into a fourth day.