An outline agreement on the future shape of Iran's nuclear programme has been reached after marathon talks with six major powers in Switzerland.

The European Union and Iran announced the deal after eight days of negotiations in Lausanne.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Iran's "enrichment capacity and stockpile would be limited".

A comprehensive nuclear accord would be drafted by 30 June, she added.

Iran denies Western claims it is trying to build a nuclear weapon. It entered negotiations in order to see sanctions lifted.

The talks between the so-called P5+1 - the US, UK, France, China and Russia plus Germany - and Iran at Lausanne's Beau-Rivage Palace hotel were supposed to end on 31 March but overran in the search for a deal.
'Unprecedented verification'

US President Barack Obama welcomed the "historic understanding" that had been reached with Iran.

He said its implementation would be closely watched. "If Iran cheats, the world will know it," he said, adding that the deal was based not on trust but on "unprecedented verification".

He said the framework agreement had come after "months of tough, principled diplomacy", and that it was "a good deal".

Under its terms, Iran would reduce its stored centrifuges by two thirds, and be prevented from developing weapons-grade plutonium, he said.

In return there would be a "phased" listing of sanctions against Iran.

Ms Mogherini, speaking at a news conference alongside Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif after agreement was reached, said a "decisive step" had been achieved.

"We have reached solutions on key parameters of a joint comprehensive plan of action," she said.

Negotiators would now start "drafting the text" of the plan "guided by the solutions", Ms Mogherini added.

Earlier, in a tweet, the Iranian Foreign Minister said: "Found solutions, ready to start drafting immediately."

Also on Twitter, Germany's foreign ministry said: "Agreement for framework on final agreement reached."

And US Secretary of State John Kerry tweeted: "Big day... Back to work soon on final deal."

But Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu also took to Twitter to declare: "Any deal must significantly role back Iran's nuclear capabilities and stop its terrorism and aggression."

BBC