VIENNA (Tasnim) Iran and the group of six world powers (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) wrapped up seven days of intensive nuclear talks in Vienna on Monday evening without securing a long-awaited comprehensive deal.The talks started on November 18, bringing together foreign ministers from the parties in the hope of breaking a deadlock and secure a final agreement before the November 24 self-imposed deadline.
After a whole host of meetings, the last of which held among the foreign ministers and EUs envoy Catherine Ashton, the parties decided to extend the deadline.
Reuters quoted a Western diplomat close to the talks as saying that the parties are likely to extend the talks until July 2015, and aim to reach agreement on the "political pieces" by March.
Meanwhile, a Western diplomat announced that he talks will reconvene at a lower level, below the level of foreign ministers, in the coming weeks.
Given the progress made over the weekend, negotiating teams will reconvene in December at a yet to be determined location, US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
On November 24, 2013, Iran and the Group 5+1 (also referred to as the P5+1 or E3+3) signed an interim nuclear deal in the Swiss city of Geneva.
The Geneva deal (the Joint Plan of Action) came into effect in January and expired in July, when the parties decided to extend negotiations until November 24 in the hope of clinching a lasting accord.
By Tasnim News Agency
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