GENEVA — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says that if Iran's nuclear program is truly just for peaceful purposes, then it simply needs to ''prove it'' to the world.
Kerry spoke in Geneva after a marathon negotiating session — lasting about 18 hours — that culminated with a first-step deal between Iran and six world powers, including the U.S. The deal is designed to curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the easing of economic sanctions that have crippled its economy.
Speaking to reporters early Sunday, Kerry also insisted that the first-step deal will make Israel, a key U.S. ally and archenemy of Iran, safer.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has loudly criticized the deal, saying the international community is giving up too much to Iran.