Catherine Ashton in landmark bridge-building trip to Iran

Preview and reports of visit by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton to Iran, 8-10 March 2014, the first visit of a senior EU leader since 2008.

The BBC reported that the Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Mrs Ashton that a nuclear deal could come in the next four months. Baroness Ashton cautioned there was 'no guarantee' her talks would lead to a comprehensive agreement. The specific nuclear negotiations were taking place in a separate format in Vienna.

EUObserver and other news sources reported that Israel had said that Mrs Ashton should not have gone to Iran in protest at Iranian arms shipments to EU-designated 'terrorist' groups, such as Hamas in Gaza.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: EU's top diplomat agrees to landmark Iran visit http://www.europeansources.info/record/eus-top-diplomat-agrees-to-landmark-iran-visit/

ESO: Background information: Joint Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton & Iran Foreign Minister Zarif / EU announces Iran nuclear deal http://www.europeansources.info/record/joint-statement-by-eu-high-representative-catherine-ashton-iran-foreign-minister-zarif-eu-announces-iran-nuclear-deal/

http://www.eeas.europa.eu/iran/index_en.htm http://www.eeas.europa.eu/iran/index_en.htm

EEAS: Press Release, 08.03.14: EU High Representative Catherine Ashton visits Iran http://eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2014/140308_02_en.pdf

BBC News, 09.03.14: Iran tells EU's Ashton nuclear deal possible 'in months http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26500572

Euronews, 08.03.14: Ashton’s visit to Iran marks ‘new chapter’ in relations http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/08/ashton-s-visit-to-iran-marks-new-chapter-in-relations/

Al Jazeera English, 09.03.14: Ashton says no guarantee of Iran nuclear deal http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/03/ashton-says-no-guarantee-iran-nuclear-deal-20143993555507360.html

Deutsche Welle, 09.03.14: EU head of foreign policy Catherine Ashton holds landmark talks in Iran http://www.dw.de/eu-head-of-foreign-policy-catherine-ashton-holds-landmark-talks-in-iran/a-17484278

EU: EEAS: Press Release, 09.03.14: Remarks by High Representative Catherine Ashton at the end of her visit in Iran http://www.eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2014/140309_02_en.pdf

EU: EEAS: Press Release, 09.03.14: Remarks by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton at the press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif, Tehran, 09/03/2014 http://www.eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2014/140309_01_en.pdf

Euronews, 09.03.14: Iran: Ashton says a long-term nuclear deal will be ‘difficult’ and ‘challenging’ http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/09/iran-ashton-says-a-long-term-nuclear-deal-will-be-difficult-and-challenging/

EUObserver, 10.03.14: Ashton looks to closer EU ties on Iran visit http://euobserver.com/foreign/123406

BBC News, 06.03.14: Iran's Zarif says Israel lying about Gaza rocket ship http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26463938

The Daily Telegraph, 09.03.14: Ask Iran about weapons to Gaza, Netanyahu tells Ashton http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/10686079/Ask-Iran-about-weapons-to-Gaza-Netanyahu-tells-Ashton.html

France24, 10.03.14: EU's Ashton makes landmark visit to Tehran http://www.france24.com/en/20140310-eu-ashton-landmark-visit-tehran-nuclear/

The Guardian, 10.03.14: EU's Catherine Ashton criticised for meeting Iranian women activists http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/10/eu-catherine-ashton-criticised-meeting-iran-women-activists

Euronews, 10.03.14: Israel criticises international ‘leniency’ towards Iran http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/10/israel-criticises-international-leniency-towards-iran/

EUObserver, 16.03.14: Nobel winner: Iran should stop public executions if it wants better EU ties http://euobserver.com/foreign/123482

DGAP: Briefing, 20.02.14: Engaging with Difficult Partners: The EU’s Iran Approach https://dgap.org/en/node/24914

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