Iran, world powers meet in Kazakhstan on Islamic Republic’s nuclear program

Members of the Iranian delegation, led by Supreme National Security Council Secretary and chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili (2nd R), sit at a table during talks in Almaty on Feb. 26. Photo by REUTERS/Ilyas Omarov/Pool

Iran and six world powers are meeting for talks on Iran's nuclear program.

The talks began Tuesday in Kazakhstan. It is the first negotiations to be held in nearly eight months. The world powers are made up of Germany and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: United States, France, Britain, Russia and China.

In advance of the meetings, the United States proposed an easing, but not lifting, of sanctions on Iran in exchange for greater transparency.

Since the last talks eight months ago, Iran reportedly has expanded its nuclear program and is believed to be closer than ever to building a nuclear bomb.

Also during those eight months, the Western powers have levied severe economic sanctions on Iran.

Iran denies Western claims that it has a nuclear weapons program and says its nuclear plans are peaceful.