Vienna - Iran and six world powers need more time to work out complex technical steps on implementing last month's deal for Tehran to curb its nuclear programme, the European Union said on Friday after four days of talks in Vienna.
“Reflecting the complexity of the technical issues discussed, it became clear that further work is needed,” said Michael Mann, spokesman for European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
He said there would be consultations in capitals and talks were expected to continue soon.
He gave no details on whether any specific issues that might have created problems. Diplomats earlier said it was a very complicated task to translate the breakthrough interim accord reached on November 24 into a concrete action plan.
That deal called for Tehran to curb the nuclear programme in return for a limited easing of international sanctions.
It is seen as a first step towards resolving a decade-old standoff over suspicions Iran might be covertly pursuing a nuclear weapons “breakout” capability, which Tehran denies.
Iranian officials suggested after the second day of talks on Tuesday that progress was being made. They have since declined to comment.
Experts from Iran, the United States, China, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) attended the talks. - Reuters