Talks over Iran's nuclear programme progressing slowly, says Tehran's foreign minister

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif yesterday said nuclear talks with world powers were progressing slowly and urged all sides to avoid "troublesome" issues.

Zarif also agreed with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton that the technical talks on how to implement a landmark nuclear deal would resume after the Christmas holidays, media reported.

Zarif and Ashton made the decision during a telephone call to discuss the expert-level talks that began on Thursday between Iran and delegates from the six major powers known as the P5+1.

The negotiations, which are aimed at setting a framework and a timeline for the nuclear accord clinched last month, stretched into a fourth day in Geneva yesterday.

ISNA news agency said Zarif and Ashton discussed the latest developments at the talks and agreed they would resume after the Christmas break. It provided no further details.

But at a joint news conference with visiting Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino, Zarif said little progress had been made during the talks in the Swiss city.