Tuesday, July 14, 2015

The Latest: Israeli Premier Calls Iran Deal a 'Bad Mistake'

Here are the latest developments involving negotiations between Iran and world powers in Vienna over the Islamic Republic's contested nuclear program (all times local):

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10:05 a.m.

Israel's prime minister says a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers is a "bad mistake of historic proportions."

Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that an accord with Iran will allow it "to continue to pursue its aggression and terror in the region."

Netanyahu has been at the forefront of efforts to block an agreement that would lift sanctions on Iran. Iranian officials repeatedly have threatened to destroy Israel in the past. Iran also backs militant groups that attack it.

The talks have been aimed at reaching a final deal to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. Iran long has said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. The West fears it could be used to build an atomic bomb.

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10 a.m.

The head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog says a "roadmap" has been signed between it and Iran as a final deal has been struck over the Islamic Republic's contested nuclear program.

Yukiya Amano, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, made the comments in Vienna on Tuesday, just a short time after diplomats acknowledged a deal had been made between world powers and Iran.

Amano said Iranian Vice President Ali Akbar Salehi signed the roadmap. It calls for his agency, with Iran's cooperation, to make an assessment of issues relating to possible military dimensions of the Islamic Republic's nuclear program by the end of 2015.

Amano says: "This is a significant step forward toward clarifying outstanding issues regarding Iran's nuclear program."

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9:50 a.m.

World oil markets are reacting to news that a final deal has been struck between Iran and world powers over the Islamic Republic's contested nuclear program.

In trading Tuesday, benchmark U.S. crude was down $1.20 in trading.

Iran is an OPEC member, but its oil production has been affected for years by sanctions over its nuclear program. Any easing of the sanctions could see Iran sell more oil, which could bring down crude prices.

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9:20 a.m.

An Israeli Cabinet minister says a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers gives the Islamic Republic a "license to kill."

Miri Regev, a former military spokeswoman who serves as Israel's culture and sports minister, said Tuesday that the deal was "bad for the free world (and) bad for humanity."

Israel has been at the forefront of efforts to block an accord that would lift sanctions on Iran. Iranian officials repeatedly have threatened to destroy Israel in the past. Iran also has backed militants groups that have attacked Israel.

Regev called on further lobbying against the deal reached in Vienna and said Congress could still block it.

The talks have been aimed at reaching a final deal to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. Iran long has said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. The West fears it could be used to build an atomic bomb.

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8:45 a.m.

A senior Western diplomat says a landmark Iran nuclear agreement has been reached.

The diplomat made the comments Tuesday amid nonstop negotiations between Iran and world powers in Vienna.

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