Iran, the United States and five other countries have wrapped up two days of talks in Geneva over Iran’s disputed nuclear program. The parties agreed to meet again in early November to continue negotiations that Iran hopes will lead to an easing of devastating sanctions. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who led the talks, read a joint statement issued with her Iranian counterpart.

Catherine Ashton: “Building on the positive atmosphere of the first ministerial meeting held in New York on the 26th of September, the foreign minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran presented an outline of a plan as a proposed basis for negotiation, which is being carefully considered by the E3+3 as an important contribution.”