Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Deadline on nuclear talks with Iran near, but deal isn’t

U.S official says extension likely

Matthew Lee And George Jahn Associated Press

VIENNA – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is warning of “serious gaps” in the talks about a nuclear deal with Iran, and if major differences persist the possibility of extending past Monday’s deadline is seeming more likely.

Discussions on going past that deadline have not begun between Iran and the U.S. – the lead players in negotiations that formally group six world powers on one side of the negotiating table and the Islamic Republic on the other.

One American official familiar with the talks said Saturday the U.S. has not wanted to prematurely raise the possibility of an extension because that could take pressure off the Iranians.

However, as the clock ticks toward the deadline, the official – who demanded anonymity because his information was confidential – said discussion of an extension was inevitable.

The United States – backed by Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany – is seeking a deal that cuts, and puts long-term limits on, Iranian nuclear programs that could be used to make weapons. Iran says it does not want such arms but is negotiating in the hope of reducing sanctions imposed because of its nuclear activities.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the sides are “still far apart” on some questions. Success or failure, he said, “is still completely open at this point.” British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius also have stopped by for talks with Kerry, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and other participants in the negotiations.