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Iran nuclear talks deadline extended until November | Iran nuclear talks deadline extended until November |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Diplomats have agreed a four-month extension to the deadline for an agreement between Iran and world powers on Iran's nuclear programme. | Diplomats have agreed a four-month extension to the deadline for an agreement between Iran and world powers on Iran's nuclear programme. |
The US says it will unblock $2.8bn in frozen Iranian funds, in return for Iran continuing to convert its stocks of 20%-enriched uranium into fuel. | |
The talks have aimed to persuade Iran to limit its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. | The talks have aimed to persuade Iran to limit its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. |
World powers suspect Iran seeks atomic weapons, which Iran denies. | World powers suspect Iran seeks atomic weapons, which Iran denies. |
The country insists that it is enriching uranium for use in nuclear power stations and for medical purposes. | The country insists that it is enriching uranium for use in nuclear power stations and for medical purposes. |
Reuters reports that negotiations will now resume in September, with a final deadline set for 24 November. | Reuters reports that negotiations will now resume in September, with a final deadline set for 24 November. |
"There are still significant gaps on some core issues which will require more time and effort," said a joint statement issued by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. | "There are still significant gaps on some core issues which will require more time and effort," said a joint statement issued by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. |
Analysis: Amir Paivar, BBC Persian, in Vienna | |
Though talks have now been extended, let's not forget that the two sides have failed to reach a much anticipated deal. | |
The extension of talks is good news and bad. It is a sign that diplomacy could still work but opponents now have the chance to score in extra time. | |
Some US Congress members claim Tehran is buying time to aid the Iranian economy, already choking under the pressure of sanctions. | |
And hardliners in Iran are becoming more vocal against the deal over fears it could mean better ties with the US. | |
The odds against the deal are already high and both sides could use the next four months to derail any comprehensive agreement. | |
Behind the scenes at the Iran nuclear talks hotel | |
US Secretary of State John Kerry said the US would "continue to vigorously enforce the sanctions that remain in place" on Iran, during the extended period of talks. | US Secretary of State John Kerry said the US would "continue to vigorously enforce the sanctions that remain in place" on Iran, during the extended period of talks. |
But the US said it would allow Iran to access $2.8bn in funds that had been frozen after Iran agreed to continue converting its 20%-enriched uranium stocks during the four-month extension. | |
The 20%-enriched uranium is a medium level of purity and experts say once it reaches that level it could be enriched to weapons-grade, or 90% purity, in a relatively short time. | |
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. |
An interim deal between the two sides was reached last year. | An interim deal between the two sides 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. | 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. |
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. |