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Iran nuclear: Talks to resume past deadline Iran nuclear: Talks trigger US Congress sanctions delay
(about 5 hours later)
Talks on Iran's controversial nuclear programme are to resume in Vienna, despite missing another deadline. Talks on Iran's controversial nuclear programme are resuming in Vienna, as the failure to reach a deal by Friday saw US Congress delay any lifting of its sanctions against Iran.
Britain, France, Russia, China, the US and Germany - the P5+1 - group were hoping a deal by 04:00 GMT to ensure a speedy review by the US Congress. If an agreement is eventually signed, US legislators will now take 60 days to decide whether to accept or reject it, keeping sanctions in place until then.
However, US Secretary of State John Kerry said America and other major powers were not in a rush. Iran also expressed a similar position. In Vienna, Iran's foreign minister said world powers' demands were "excessive".
The sides seek to curb Iran's programme in return for sanctions relief. His US counterpart meanwhile warned talks could not carry on indefinitely.
The pace at which sanctions will be lifted is a major issue at the negotiations. "We're here because we believe we are making real progress," Mr Kerry told reporters on Thursday.
The Friday morning deadline was set to meet the start a 30-day review period by the US Congress.
But now America's lawmakers will have 60 days to examine any document, which will delay the lifting of US sanctions.
The West suspects Iran of trying to build nuclear weapons. Tehran says its programme is solely for peaceful purposes.
'Red lines'
"We're here because we believe we are making real progress," Mr Kerry told reporters in the Austrian capital on Thursday.
But he cautioned that "we are not going to sit at the negotiating table forever" and that he was prepared to "call an end" to nuclear talks with Iran if "tough decisions" are not made."But he cautioned that "we are not going to sit at the negotiating table forever" and that he was prepared to "call an end" to nuclear talks with Iran if "tough decisions" are not made."
I emphasise, given that the work here is incredibly technical and that the stakes are very very high, we will not rush and we will not be rushed." He said though that "the stakes are very very high, we will not rush and we will not be rushed."
Mr Kerry said that any deal had to withstand the test of time. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused the world powers at the talks - the so-called P5+1 (US, UK, Russia, France, China and Germany) of backtracking.
"It is not a test of a matter of days or weeks or months, it's a test for decades, that's our goal here." "Unfortunately we have seen changes in the position and excessive demands... by several countries."
He earlier tweeted: "We're working hard, but not rushed, to get the job done."
The sides have continued talking long past a self-imposed 30 June deadline to turn a framework deal into a comprehensive, final agreement.
The P5+1 and Iran are working on a deal which will curb Iran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief, though the pace of the lifting of sanctions has been a major sticking point.
The West suspects Iran of secretly seeking to build nuclear weapons. Tehran says its programme is solely for peaceful purposes.
Analysis: BBC's Lyse Doucet, ViennaAnalysis: BBC's Lyse Doucet, Vienna
Another deadline was missed - but no side in this marathon is calling it a bad sign. Negotiators emphasise how far they have come, how close they are.Another deadline was missed - but no side in this marathon is calling it a bad sign. Negotiators emphasise how far they have come, how close they are.
But at this 11th hour there are, unsurprisingly, conflicting views on the impasse. Western diplomats speak of a small number of political and technical issues to resolve and place the onus on Iran.But at this 11th hour there are, unsurprisingly, conflicting views on the impasse. Western diplomats speak of a small number of political and technical issues to resolve and place the onus on Iran.
But a senior Iranian official lamented that Iran now feels it is in five bilateral negotiations since every country has different "red lines." A senior Iranian official would only speak "of certain changes in the US position" as well as "a walking back" by other countries - they deny that.But a senior Iranian official lamented that Iran now feels it is in five bilateral negotiations since every country has different "red lines." A senior Iranian official would only speak "of certain changes in the US position" as well as "a walking back" by other countries - they deny that.
It is clear more time is needed - but how much is not clear to anyone. An Iranian official said this wasn't "the 11th hour, but 13th or 14th". This is a process which, from the start, has had a clock all its own.It is clear more time is needed - but how much is not clear to anyone. An Iranian official said this wasn't "the 11th hour, but 13th or 14th". This is a process which, from the start, has had a clock all its own.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said that "things are going in the right direction", while EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told CNN the talks as "sometimes heated" but overall "constructive". The P5+1 and Iran are still believed to differ in three key areas - international inspections of Iran's non-nuclear sites, sanctions relief, and how Iran's compliance will be verified.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted: "We're working hard, but not rushed, to get the job done."
Mr Zarif, who leads the Iranian negotiators, added: "You can't change horses in the middle of a stream."
The White House has said that it is unlikely that the talks will go on for many more weeks. A 30 June deadline imposed by both sides has already been missed.
The P5+1 and Iran are still believed to differ in three key areas - international inspections of Iran's non-nuclear sites, sanctions, and how Iran's compliance will be verified.
Iran also wants a UN Security Council arms embargo to be scrapped - something the US has ruled out.Iran also wants a UN Security Council arms embargo to be scrapped - something the US has ruled out.