DHAKA: Iran has boosted its team in charge of nuclear negotiations with world powers, adding new members to a high council that directs strategies in the talks.

Wednesday’s development comes a day after Iran and Western negotiators reported they were nearing an understanding on the details of implementing the landmark interim nuclear accord reached in Geneva in November.

The semiofficial Mehr and Fars news agencies say representatives of all branches of power and other groups are now on the council, but didn’t elaborate.

The new additions are likely hard-liners, reflecting attempts to include critics of the deal in the negotiations.

President Hassan Rouhani has faced criticism from hard-liners over the Geneva deal.

They claimed the contents of the talks were kept secret and that they were excluded from the process, reports TDS.

BDST: 1714 HRS, JAN 01, 2014
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor