White House Confirms Kerry Heading To Geneva

Tehran, Nov 23, IRNA – US Secretary of State John Kerry will join talks in Geneva as world powers push to clinch a historic deal over Irans nuclear program, officials have confirmed. The arrival of Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov had heightened speculation that Kerry might also attend the crucial final stages of the latest round of talks aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Kerrys goal is to help narrow differences and move closer to an agreement, a State Department spokeswoman told Reuters. Lavrov joined the talks as negotiators said there had been some progress on the third day of meetings and the White House said the US remained hopeful that agreement could be reached. London and Paris said there were no plans at present for British and French counterparts William Hague and Laurent Fabius to participate. This third meeting since President Hassan Rohani's election in June is seen as the biggest hope in years to resolve the decade-old standoff over Iran's nuclear program./end