This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-32114862

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Iran nuclear crisis: Six key points Iran nuclear crisis: Six key points
(6 days later)
Years of tension over what to do about Iran's nuclear programme could be lifted if a deal is reached between six world powers and Iran - but failure to agree could see a 12-year stand-off deepen. Iran has agreed a long-term deal on its nuclear programme with six world powers, capping 12 years of on-off negotiations and potentially ending one of the world's most serious crises.
We're at a pivotal moment in one of the world's most serious crises We're at a pivotal moment
The long-running dispute has widened divisions between Iran and the West, but a comprehensive accord could bring down diplomatic barriers. The long-running dispute has widened divisions between Iran and the West, but a comprehensive accord might bring down diplomatic barriers.
The sides managed to reach a framework deal in April and have been trying to fill in the detail since then, but obstacles still need to be overcome and self-imposed deadlines have been missed. Iran has agreed with the so-called P5+1 - the US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany - to significantly limit its sensitive nuclear activities for more than a decade in return for the lifting of sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy.
There is no guarantee they will reach a full agreement, and the crisis could turn much worse if the negotiations collapse. Multiple deadlines have been missed over the past 20 months as negotiators sought to build on an interim deal struck after the election of the moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who campaigned on the promise that he would end his country's international isolation.
It's about fear and distrustIt's about fear and distrust
Years of distrust and suspicion have made the crisis over Iran's nuclear programme hard to solve.Years of distrust and suspicion have made the crisis over Iran's nuclear programme hard to solve.
The so-called P5+1 group of powers - the US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany - want to be satisfied that Iran won't have the capacity to make a bomb in under a year if it decided to - the so-called "break-out" time. The P5+1 want to be satisfied that Iran won't have the capacity to make a bomb in less than a year if it decided to - the so-called "break-out" time.
Iran for its part says it does not want a nuclear bomb, but insists on exercising its right to run a peaceful nuclear industry. It also wants crippling international sanctions lifted quickly.Iran for its part says it does not want a nuclear bomb, but insists on exercising its right to run a peaceful nuclear industry. It also wants crippling international sanctions lifted quickly.
Many countries do not believe Iran's declared intentions, and there is fear of what Iran might do with a nuclear weapon, and of the prospect of a nuclear arms race in one of the world's most unstable regions.Many countries do not believe Iran's declared intentions, and there is fear of what Iran might do with a nuclear weapon, and of the prospect of a nuclear arms race in one of the world's most unstable regions.
Iranian ambitions breed scepticism and fear in IsraelIranian ambitions breed scepticism and fear in Israel
Lebanon pivotal to Iran's reach across Middle EastLebanon pivotal to Iran's reach across Middle East
Lots of countries have nuclear weapons, but Iran's case is differentLots of countries have nuclear weapons, but Iran's case is different
It looks to some like Iran is being singled out - after all, many countries have nuclear programmes and at least eight possess nuclear weapons. The reason why such attention has been focused on Iran is because it hid a clandestine uranium enrichment programme for 18 years, in breach of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It looks to some like Iran has been singled out - after all, many countries have nuclear programmes and at least eight possess nuclear weapons. The reason why such attention has been focused on Iran is because it hid a clandestine uranium enrichment programme for 18 years, in breach of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
As a result, the UN Security Council passed six resolutions requiring Iran to stop enriching uranium, a process that can ultimately produce the fissile material for a nuclear weapon.As a result, the UN Security Council passed six resolutions requiring Iran to stop enriching uranium, a process that can ultimately produce the fissile material for a nuclear weapon.
Iran agreed to suspend parts of its nuclear programme under a temporary agreement in 2013 in return for some sanctions relief, but this was a stop-gap deal, not an end to the crisis. Iran agreed to suspend parts of its nuclear programme under a temporary agreement in November 2013 in return for some sanctions relief, but this was a stop-gap deal, not an end to the crisis.
What also worries the international community are unanswered questions surrounding possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme. The international community was also worried about unanswered questions surrounding possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme.
A 2007 US intelligence report said Iran had a nuclear weapons programme but "halted" this in 2003. A 2007 US intelligence report said Iran had a nuclear weapons programme, but "halted" this in 2003.
The global nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has been investigating this in parallel to the main nuclear talks, but says Iran has not provided enough information about its past activities. These include possible nuclear-related tests at a secret military site, where Iran has barred IAEA inspectors.The global nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has been investigating this in parallel to the main nuclear talks, but says Iran has not provided enough information about its past activities. These include possible nuclear-related tests at a secret military site, where Iran has barred IAEA inspectors.
Iran says the international community is displaying double standards by not doing anything about its arch-foe Israel, which is widely believed to have a nuclear arsenal - though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied this. Israel however, like nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, is not a signatory to the NPT.Iran says the international community is displaying double standards by not doing anything about its arch-foe Israel, which is widely believed to have a nuclear arsenal - though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied this. Israel however, like nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, is not a signatory to the NPT.
Mapping Iran's key nuclear sitesMapping Iran's key nuclear sites
Iran has been severely hit by sanctionsIran has been severely hit by sanctions
Since Iran's undisclosed nuclear activities came to light, it has been hit by a raft of sanctions - by the UN, EU, US and other countries. Since Iran's undisclosed nuclear activities came to light, the country has been hit by a raft of sanctions - by the UN, EU, US and other countries.
These include a ban on the supply of heavy weaponry and nuclear-related technology to Iran, a block on arms exports, asset freezes, travel bans, bans on trade in precious metals, and bans on crude oil exports and banking transactions, among others.These include a ban on the supply of heavy weaponry and nuclear-related technology to Iran, a block on arms exports, asset freezes, travel bans, bans on trade in precious metals, and bans on crude oil exports and banking transactions, among others.
Under a 2013 interim deal, Iran got some sanctions relief in return for curbing its enrichment activities. The sanctions have contributed to a fall in the value of the Iranian riyal and to rising inflation, with the cost of basic foodstuffs and fuel soaring. This has hit ordinary Iranians, with some rare protests reported.
The sanctions are believed to have contributed to a fall in the value of the Iranian riyal and to rising inflation, with the cost of basic foodstuffs and fuel soaring. This has hit ordinary Iranians, with some rare protests reported. Under the 2013 interim deal, Iran got some sanctions relief in return for curbing its enrichment activities.
According to the framework agreement, sanctions will be gradually phased out as the IAEA confirms Iranian compliance. The comprehensive accord will see oil and financial sanctions phased out gradually as the IAEA confirms Iranian compliance. However, the UN weapons embargo and the ban on buying missile technology will remain in place for several years.
What are the sanctions on Iran?What are the sanctions on Iran?
How ordinary Iranians see the nuclear talksHow ordinary Iranians see the nuclear talks
Some countries are unhappy about any dealSome countries are unhappy about any deal
The prospect of a deal which leaves Iran with any capacity whatsoever to build a bomb has alarmed Israel and Iran's neighbours in the Gulf. A deal which leaves Iran with any capacity whatsoever to build a bomb has alarmed Israel and Iran's neighbours in the Gulf.
Iran believes Israel should not exist. Israel sees a nuclear Iran as a major threat to it and the wider world.Iran believes Israel should not exist. Israel sees a nuclear Iran as a major threat to it and the wider world.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned a "bad" deal poses a grave danger to the region. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the comprehensive accord was a "bad mistake of historic proportions" that would allow Iran to "continue to pursue its aggression and terror in the region".
"The deal being formulated will pave Iran's path to the production of very many atomic bombs," he said. He has previously warned that Israel will do everything necessary to thwart the prospect of Iran developing nuclear weapons.
He has warned that Israel will do everything necessary to thwart the prospect of Iran developing nuclear weapons.
Saudi Arabia, the Sunni-ruled regional rival to Shia Iran, also fears a compromise deal will not stop Iran eventually getting a nuclear bomb. Saudi Arabia also worries that an end to sanctions will embolden and strengthen Iran economically and militarily.Saudi Arabia, the Sunni-ruled regional rival to Shia Iran, also fears a compromise deal will not stop Iran eventually getting a nuclear bomb. Saudi Arabia also worries that an end to sanctions will embolden and strengthen Iran economically and militarily.
Both Israel and Saudi Arabia, key US allies in the region, feel Washington is putting a deal with Iran before their security needs.Both Israel and Saudi Arabia, key US allies in the region, feel Washington is putting a deal with Iran before their security needs.
This is not the end of itThis is not the end of it
If a final deal is agreed, it still does not mean the crisis is over. Although a deal has been agreed, it still does not mean the crisis is over.
While an agreement might defuse the stand-off between Iran and world powers, Israel and Saudi Arabia have warned it could fuel a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Under this scenario, countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia could seek to equip themselves with nuclear weapons before Iran gets a chance to.While an agreement might defuse the stand-off between Iran and world powers, Israel and Saudi Arabia have warned it could fuel a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Under this scenario, countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia could seek to equip themselves with nuclear weapons before Iran gets a chance to.
There are also strong opponents to a deal in both Iran and the US. In Iran, hardliners have expressed disappointment, while in Washington members of Congress, where scepticism is strong, will have to approve a deal before sanctions can be lifted. There are also strong opponents to a deal in both Iran and the US. In Iran, hardliners will portray the deal as a defeat for Iran, while in Washington members of Congress, where scepticism is strong, will have to approve the deal before US sanctions can be lifted.
President Obama himself has said he will support fresh sanctions against Iran if it does not uphold any agreement. US President Barack Obama himself has said he will support fresh sanctions against Iran if it does not uphold any agreement.
Are Iran’s Sunni neighbours about to race for The Bomb?Are Iran’s Sunni neighbours about to race for The Bomb?