Vienna -
Talks on a deal about Iran's controversial nuclear programme may have to be extended in Vienna if differences are not bridged by Sunday evening, said an Iranian delegation member.
Following years of diplomatic efforts, Iran and six world powers had set November 24 as a deadline for reaching a deal that would limit Iran's nuclear activities for years, with sanctions to be lifted in return.
“Because of lacking time and the many unresolved details, it might be difficult to reach a comprehensive agreement until Monday,” the Iranian source said.
The Vienna talks could therefore switch gears and focus on reaching a “general agreement,” which would leave details to be worked out, he added.
Both sides are still far apart on two central issued - how much uranium Iran will be allowed to enrich, and how fast sanctions will be lifted.
Some delegates at the talks have also brought up the possibility of extending the interim agreement that Iran and the sextet reached one year ago in Geneva to provide a basis for continuing negotiations on a final deal.
Under the confidence-building agreement reached in Geneva, Iran has stopped expanding its nuclear programme, while some sanctions have been suspended.
US Secretary of State John Kerry, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Catherine Ashton, the sextet's chief negotiator, conducted a two-hour meeting in Vienna on Saturday.
Other chief diplomats of the six powers were expected to arrive late Sunday and early Monday. The group consists of Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany.
Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal was with Kerry Sunday in Vienna to consult on the status of the talks, a diplomat said.
The Gulf states and Israel share Western concerns that Iran's nuclear programme could be used to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran's leaders claim they only want to manufacture energy and pursue scientific questions.
“No agreement at all would be preferable to a bad agreement that would endanger Israel, the Middle East and all of humanity,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after a telephone call with Kerry. - Sapa-dpa