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| Iran minister floats nuclear talks extension | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has suggested that talks on Iran's nuclear programme could be extended beyond a 20 July deadline. | |
| After two days of talks in Vienna, he said progress had been made and "more time may help". | |
| Earlier, US Secretary of State John Kerry said there had been "tangible progress" but differences remained. | Earlier, US Secretary of State John Kerry said there had been "tangible progress" but differences remained. |
| The talks aim to persuade Iran to limit its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. | The talks aim to persuade Iran to limit its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. |
| There has been growing speculation that the Sunday deadline for an agreement will need to be extended. | There has been growing speculation that the Sunday deadline for an agreement will need to be extended. |
| However, both Mr Zarif and Mr Kerry stressed that they still hoped to secure a deal by Sunday. | However, both Mr Zarif and Mr Kerry stressed that they still hoped to secure a deal by Sunday. |
| "My team's inclination is that more time may help to reach creative solutions," Mr Zarif said after the current round of talks wound up on Tuesday. | |
| "I have seen the readiness in the opposite side to listen. That's why this will open the path for a solution. Most of the text is ready. As soon as we agree on the key issues a final text can be reached in a few hours." | |
| The talks in Vienna bring together Iran and the so-called P5+1 group, comprising the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany. | The talks in Vienna bring together Iran and the so-called P5+1 group, comprising the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany. |
| Mr Kerry said he was returning to Washington to discuss the prospects for an agreement with President Barack Obama and leaders in Congress. | Mr Kerry said he was returning to Washington to discuss the prospects for an agreement with President Barack Obama and leaders in Congress. |
| He said those talks would include "the question of whether or not more time is warranted, based on the progress we have made and how things are going". | He said those talks would include "the question of whether or not more time is warranted, based on the progress we have made and how things are going". |
| He added: "With respect to the issue of July 20, yes, that is still on the table. We are still working and we are going to continue to work." | He added: "With respect to the issue of July 20, yes, that is still on the table. We are still working and we are going to continue to work." |
| An interim deal was reached last year. However, the parties have been unable to reach agreement on imposing long-term restrictions over Iran's uranium enrichment and plutonium production - processes that could yield material for nuclear warheads. | An interim deal was reached last year. However, the parties have been unable to reach agreement on imposing long-term restrictions over Iran's uranium enrichment and plutonium production - processes that could yield material for nuclear warheads. |
| World powers suspect Iran is seeking atomic weapons. Iran strongly denies the charge, insisting that it is enriching uranium to fuel its power plants, and for medical needs. | World powers suspect Iran is seeking atomic weapons. Iran strongly denies the charge, insisting that it is enriching uranium to fuel its power plants, and for medical needs. |
| A deal could see the lifting of oil and trade sanctions on Iran. | A deal could see the lifting of oil and trade sanctions on Iran. |