MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The original deadline set for reaching a final pact was June 30, while a new deadline expires Tuesday night.
Earlier on Tuesday, a senior source from the Iranian delegation told Sputnik that talks between Iran and the P5+1 group of negotiators – Britain, France, China, Russia, and the United States plus Germany – could carry on until at least next Monday.
Talks in the Austrian capital of Vienna have intensified in the past days after negotiators failed to hammer out a last-minute agreement in the time frame originally set in April, when a framework for the deal was outlined.
She added the P5+1 and Iran had agreed to interpret the deadline in a more flexible way and keep the current window of opportunity open to finalize an accord that touches upon contentious issues.
Ten Points of Contention
Russia’s Foreign Minister and representative at the talks, Sergei Lavrov, spoke of significant progress and of the willingness of negotiators to reach a substantive agreement.
He assured journalists on Wednesday there were fewer than ten unresolved issues, including the arms embargo.
"We stated very tangible progress. And selected eight or nine – less than 10 issues, which we have to polish," Lavrov said.
The schedule for lifting sanctions against Iran has been a major sticking point. Tehran wants sanctions to be lifted at once, while international negotiators say they must be scaled down gradually.
The Islamic Republic also wants the UN ban on trade in conventional arms and ballistic missiles with Iran to be lifted.
Extended Sanctions Relief
The White House said earlier in the day the prospect of ending the years-long nuclear dispute was worth taking additional time. US government spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters that negotiators "have never been closer to reaching a final agreement than we are now."
"That’s an indication that these talks, at least for now, are worth continuing and that is what is driving this decision-making process," he said.
US State Secretary John Kerry said Tuesday he will stay in Vienna for more talks with the P5+1 group, EU’s Mogherini and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. The Russian foreign minister said he would depart temporarily but return to Vienna to finalize the deal with Iran.
