Iran, major powers reach historic nuclear deal: Iranian diplomat

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (left) and German Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrive at the Palais Coburg Hotel, where the Iran nuclear talks are being held on July 13, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

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VIENNA (REUTERS) - Iran and six major powers have reached a historic nuclear deal, which will grant Teheran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme, an Iranian diplomat said on Tuesday.

"All the hard work has paid off and we sealed a deal. God bless our people," the diplomat told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Another Iranian official confirmed the agreement.

The foreign ministers of Iran and six major powers will meet for nuclear talks at 8.30am GMT at the United Nations centre in Vienna to be followed by a news conference, a spokeswoman for the European Union said on Tuesday.

Teheran and the six powers have been holding marathon diplomatic negotiations at the ministerial level for more than two weeks to resolve a 12-year stand-off over Iran's nuclear programme.

(This story is developing.)