Extension sought on Iran talks

Kerry spoke to the press after two days of discussions with Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, in Vienna. He said that the talks were fruitful but there were "real gaps" on key issues.

Kerry was returning to Washington to speak with President Barack Obama and discuss whether the deadline to reach a deal by July 20 could be extended. “With respect to July 20, yes, that is still on the table. We are still working and we are going to continue to work,” he said. He would strive to reach an interim accord until then.

The US, United Kingdom, China, France, Russia and Germany have been meeting with Iranian diplomats in Vienna in a bid to reach a nuclear deal. The interim accord struck between the six western powers and Iran expires on July 20. All countries involved in the negotiations will have to nail down an agreement by then.

Hurdles in the deal

The US secretary of state admitted that Iran’s 19,000 centrifuges were a hurdle towards a nuclear deal. These centrifuges are being used for uranium enrichment, but the US feels that the current number is far too many.

Zarif had suggested in an interview with the New York Times on Tuesday that his country would propose to keep its enrichment operating at current levels for the next three to seven years. However, Kerry said nothing short of a reduction in Iran's nuclear capabilities was acceptable.

The six countries involved in the talks suspect Iran of developing nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian program. Iran denies the allegation and insists that its nuclear program operates solely for peaceful purposes.

mg/hc (AFP, dpa)