To keep deal, U.S. seeking limits on Iran

VIENNA — Washington wants its European allies to agree on further measures against Iran in return for keeping a landmark nuclear deal alive, U.S. officials said Friday.

Speaking after closed-doors meetings between the U.S., Iran, Russia and other world powers in Vienna, U.S. diplomats indicated that an American walkout from the deal isn’t a foregone conclusion , despite harsh words about the deal from U.S. President Donald Trump.

“In order for the United States to remain in the deal, the United States and Europe must come to an agreement to address sunsets, inspections, and long range ballistic missiles,” said Brian Hook, the State Department official who led the U.S. delegation.

Washington opposes the expiry over time of restrictions on Iran’s nuclear enrichment program and wants the U.N. to get greater powers to inspect Iran’s military sites .

Although the issues are outside the nuclear agreement, the U.S. also wants European countries to support a clampdown on Iran’s ballistic missile program and the country’s activity beyond its borders, such as by designating the political wing of Lebanon’s Hezbollah a terrorist organization.

“The president has instructed us to see if we can come to an agreement with the Europeans by May 12,” said Hook.

He confirmed that American diplomats also met with an Iranian delegation, but didn’t provide details.

The nuclear deal limits Iran’s enrichment and stockpiling of material . In exchange, Tehran was granted relief from international trade, oil and banking sanctions.

Trump’s next deadline to extend some of those concessions is May

12.