No nuke agreement yet: Iran talks push past deadline
Updated: 2015-04-01 09:40
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||||
LAUSANNE - With stubborn disputes unresolved, nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers went past a self-imposed deadline and into overtime as negotiators renewed efforts to hammer out the outline of an agreement.
Enough progress had been made to warrant the extension past midnight Tuesday, State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said, although there still were "several difficult issues" to bridge.
US Secretary of State John Kerry, who had planned to leave the talks Tuesday, was remaining. And an Iranian negotiator said his team could stay "as long as necessary" to clear the remaining hurdles.
The decision came after six days of marathon efforts to reach a preliminary understanding by midnight Tuesday, drawing in foreign ministers from all seven nations at the table - Iran, the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany.
After more than a decade of diplomatic efforts to limit Tehran's nuclear advances, the present talks already had been extended twice, demonstrating the difficulties of reaching an agreement that meets the demands of both sides.
The US and its negotiating partners demand curbs on Iranian nuclear activities that could be used to make weapons, and they say any agreement must extend the time Tehran would need to produce a weapon from the present several months to at least a year. The Iranians deny such military intentions, but they are negotiating with the aim that a deal will end sanctions on their economy.
In a sign of the confusion surrounding the end of the talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed there was agreement on all sides. That statement was quickly contradicted by a Western diplomat.
In Washington, White House press secretary Josh Earnest suggested that talks meant to produce an outline that would allow the sides to continue negotiations until the June 30 final deadline had not bridged all gaps. He said the sides were working to produce a text with few specifics, accompanied by documents outlining areas where further talks were needed.
"If we are making progress toward the finish line, then we should keep going," Earnest said. President Barack Obama held a video conference Tuesday night with Kerry and other members of his national security team, including Vice President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Ash Carter.
Related Stories
Iran talks heading for new phase 2015-04-01 07:49
Iran nuke talks to continue in new phase 2015-03-31 17:22
Iran nuclear talks near deadline, differences remain 2015-03-31 09:21
Iran nuclear talks move towards historic point 2015-03-30 14:39
Iran may be open to additional restraints 2015-03-30 07:40
Iran condemns Saudi-led air strikes on Yemen 2015-03-26 17:12
Today's Top News
Crash pilot had been treated for suicidal tendencies
Britain officially launches general election campaign
China's GDP growth likely to rise to 7.2% in Q2
Yili Group milks world of industry experience
Beijing solicits EU on joining AIIB
Crash co-pilot may have had detached retina
Warship arrives to evacuate Chinese nationals from Yemen
'Belt and road' blueprint boosts practical cooperation
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Full coverage of Boao Forum for Asia |
Annual legislative and political advisory sessions |
Festival Special: Apps that make holiday shopping easier |
Listed firms caught in anti-corruption net |
Conca set to return to China |
CES: Spotlight on Chinese gadgets |