Big powers working on 'difficult issue' of Iran arms embargo

VIENNA: The major powers are trying to resolve the difficult issue of when to remove a UN arms embargo, a senior Western official said on Thursday after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said it should be lifted as soon as possible.

"This is not a new position for Russia. That said, we are working collectively on a way forward on this difficult issue," the senior Western official said. Iran and six major powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States - are negotiating a deal under which Iran would curb its nuclear programme in exchange for relief from economic sanctions.

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