November 23, 2013.

Negotiators Warn Gaps Remain to Seal Iran Nuclear Deal

"Well, perhaps not exactly that. But from your general appearance----merely because you're young and fresh and healthy, you understand----I thought that probably----"

GENEVA----Iran and world powers neared a crucial compromise on a late roadblock to a deal to curb Tehran's nuclear program but U.K. Foreign Secretary William Hague warned Saturday "difficult" issues remain unresolved.

"You thought I was a good Party member. Pure in word and deed. Banners, processions, slogans, games, community hikes all that stuff. And you thought that if I had a quarter of a chance I'd denounce you as a thought-criminal and get you killed off?"

A compromise on Iran's demand that it be explicitly allowed to keep some domestic uranium enrichment capacity would represent a significant step toward an initial confidence-building agreement, offering at least a temporary reprieve from a decadelong standoff over Tehran's program, according to Iranian and western officials.

"Yes, something of that kind. A great many young girls are like that, you know."

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Geneva Saturday morning and rushed into a series of bilateral meetings as he tries to secure a confidence-building deal with Tehran that sees Iran curtail its nuclear program in exchange for some easing of sanctions.