Vienna (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Talks on Iran's controversial nuclear programme are to resume in Vienna, despite missing another deadline. Britain, France, Russia, China, the US and Germany - the P5+1 - group were hoping a deal by 04:00 GMT to ensure a speedy review by the US Congress.
However, US Secretary of State John Kerry said America and other major powers were not in a rush. Iran also expressed a similar position.
The sides seek to curb Iran's programme in return for sanctions relief. The pace at which sanctions will be lifted is a major issue at the negotiations.
The West suspects Iran of trying to build nuclear weapons. Tehran says its programme is solely for peaceful purposes.
"We're here because we believe we are making real progress," Mr Kerry told reporters in the Austrian capital on Thursday. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted: "We're working hard, but not rushed, to get the job done.” Mr Zarif, who leads the Iranian negotiators, added: "You can't change horses in the middle of a stream.”
The White House has said that it is unlikely that the talks will go on for many more weeks. A 30 June deadline imposed by both sides has already been missed.
The P5+1 and Iran are still believed to differ in three key areas - international inspections of Iran's non-nuclear sites, sanctions, and how Iran's compliance will be verified. Iran also wants a UN Security Council arms embargo to be scrapped - something the US has ruled out.
An initial agreement was reached last April. However, the terms of the agreement in principle have not yet been released.As part of the deal, Iran is to slash by two thirds of its centrifuge uranium enrichment machines (from 19,000 to 6,000); one nuclear reactor would be rebuilt to prevent it from producing enriched plutonium; and the UN nuclear watchdog agency would be able to carry out more inspections.
According to European sources, Western sanctions would be lifted as Tehran meets its obligations. However, it is unclear whether the European Union would remove some sanctions immediately. What is certain is that any final agreement will have to go to the UN Security Council for a final say.