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As nuclear deal nears, LA's Iranian community watches closely
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Mar 30, 2015
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As nuclear deal nears, LA's Iranian community watches closely
'Mainly the word is worried,' said Siamak Kalhour, host with KIRN 670am, Radio Iran LA. 'A lot of Iranians are worried.'
EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini (3rd R) and Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (4th L) lead nuclear talks with foreign Ministers from France, Germany and Britain at the European External Action Service (EEAS) headquarters in Brussels on March 16, 2015. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND

        (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini (3rd R) and Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (4th L) lead nuclear talks with foreign Ministers from France, Germany and Britain at the European External Action Service (EEAS) headquarters in Brussels on March 16, 2015. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
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EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
)

'Mainly the word is worried,' said Siamak Kalhour, host with KIRN 670am, Radio Iran LA. 'A lot of Iranians are worried.'

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is meeting in Switzerland with leaders from Iran and several other countries, trying to hammer out a deal on Iran's nuclear program before a deadline Tuesday.

But while the talks play out on the global stage, what are Iranians in Southern California saying about it?

"Mainly the word is worried," said Siamak Kalhour, host with KIRN 670am, Radio Iran LA. "A lot of Iranians are worried."

But some are also hopeful about what the deal could bring for their home country, including an easing of sanctions.

"It depends what sanctions are lifted and when they are lifted," said Kalhour, who notes that his listeners reflect the diversity of the community, both in terms of background and viewpoints on the issue. But "the majority of [our listeners] are in favor of the deal."