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Iranian envoy: Easing oil, banking sanctions part of nuclear talks

Associated Press
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A general view shows participants before the start of three days of closed-door nuclear talks in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Keystone,Salvatore Di Nolfi) (The Associated Press)

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, right, and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, arrive for a photo opportunity prior to the start of three days of closed-door nuclear talks in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Keystone,Salvatore Di Nolfi) (The Associated Press)

Wendy Sherman, US Under Secretary for Political Affairs, looks to her right before the start of the three days of closed-door nuclear talks in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Keystone,Salvatore Di Nolfi) (The Associated Press)

A senior Iranian envoy says nuclear talks have included possible ways to reduce sanctions on oil sales and banking in exchange for curbs in Tehran's atomic program.

The remarks by negotiator Abbas Araghchi on Iranian state TV reflect the scope of the possible first steps in a deal aimed at easing Western concerns that Iran could one day make a nuclear weapon — an assertion Iran strongly denies.

Iran seeks a rollback in U.S.-led sanctions on oil exports and access to international banking systems. Envoys for the U.S. and other world powers want to trim Iran's uranium enrichment.

Araghchi repeated Thursday that Iran would never halt its enrichment program, but would discuss setting levels.

He noted a "probability" of accord emerging from the current round, which opened Wednesday.