Washington

THE United States, the European Union (EU) and Iran began meetings in Oman in a last-minute push to reach an agreement over Iran's nuclear programme ahead of a Nov 24 deadline for a comprehensive deal. US Secretary of State John Kerry and the EU's former foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, met Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif ahead of formal negotiations scheduled to begin on Nov 18 in Vienna.

A final deal would require Iran to submit to limits on its nuclear future in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. Mr Kerry has said "big gaps" remain between the sides, including the scope of the country's uranium enrichment programme, how and when to lift economic sanctions, and how long Iran's nuclear programme must remain under international inspections and safeguards.