Deadline for Iran nuke deal delayed again
Negotiators now have until Friday to reach an agreement
World powers seeking a nuclear deal with Iran will negotiate until Friday, passing Tuesday’s already extended deadline.
“We are continuing to negotiate for the next couple of days,” European Union representative Federica Mogherini said outside the Palais Coburg Hotel in Vienna, where negotiators have worked for several weeks to reach an agreement.
The talks have been difficult and tense, she said, according to
The Jerusalem Post.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the administration is demanding an agreement that “clearly shuts down” any pathway to an Iranian nuclear weapon. Iran has “not been able to sign on the dotted line,” Earnest said.
Delegations from the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council — the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China — plus Germany have worked with Iran to try to seal an agreement on curbing Iran’s disputed nuclear program and lifting international sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful.
The previous deadline of June 30 was set in a framework agreement in April. The parties agreed to general outlines that would require Iran to limit many nuclear activities for 10 to 15 years. Iran would have to submit to what President Obama called the most intrusive nuclear inspections to ensure Iran does not cheat.
Secretary of State John Kerry will remain in Vienna to continue the talks with Europeans and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said.
“We’ve made substantial pro- gress in every area, but this work is highly technical and high stakes for all of the countries involved,” Harf said. “We’re frankly more concerned about the quality of the deal than we are about the clock.”
Harf said an interim agreement from November 2013, which set the conditions for talks, will be extended to Friday.
Among sticking points: Iran wants all sanctions lifted immediately upon signing a deal, but the United States wants sanctions lifted gradually as Iran meets terms of the deal.
“We’re frankly more concerned about the quality of the deal than we are about the clock.” State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf