Quite possible Iran, powers can reach nuclear deal next week US...

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Major powers and Iran are getting closer to an initial agreement to curb Iran's nuclear program, a senior US official said on Friday, adding it is "quite possible" a deal could be reached when negotiators meet Nov. 20-22 in Geneva.

"For the first time in nearly a decade we are getting close to a first-step ... that would stop the Iranian nuclear program from advancing and roll it back in key areas," the official told reporters.

"I don't know if we will reach an agreement. I think it is quite possible that we can, but there are still tough issues to negotiate," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The official said EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif were to meet on Nov. 20 in Geneva. They will be joined later the same day by a wider group known as the P5+1 comprising Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States. The talks are likely to last through Nov. 22, the official added.

The talks will seek to finalize an interim deal to allow time to negotiate a comprehensive, permanent agreement with Iran that would end a 10-year deadlock and provide assurances to the six powers that its atomic program would not produce bombs.

Iran has denied that it is seeking the capability to produce atomic weapons and insists its nuclear ambitions are limited to the peaceful generation of electricity and other civilian uses.

Negotiations last week in Geneva ended without an agreement, although the sides appeared to be close to a deal that would defuse their standoff over the nuclear program.

US President Barack Obama has urged skeptical US lawmakers not to impose new sanctions on Iran while negotiations are ongoing and called for a pause in US sanctions to see if diplomacy can work.

REUTERS

'Quite possible' Iran, powers can reach nuclear deal next week -US official