Iran nuke talks resume as deadline looms
Negotiators hope to beat June 30 target date for reaching an agreement to curb Iranian bomb-making capabilities
VIENNA — Nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers accelerated as the sides try to seal a deal by a June 30 target date.
After a meeting last week that stretched into the weekend, experts from all seven participating nations resumed negotiations Tuesday. They were to be joined by senior officials later in the week.
At the negotiating table with Iran are representatives from the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. Foreign ministers are expected to join in during the final stage of the talks.
The six world powers want long-term caps on Iranian nuclear programs that could be used to make weapons. Tehran denies any interest in atomic arms and seeks an end to sanctions in exchange for any nuclear concessions.
According to a framework reached in April, the US will be required to lift sanctions that are related to Iran’s nuclear program but could leave others in place.
After years of negotiations, US officials believe a deal is within reach that for a decade would keep Iran at least a year from being able to build a nuclear weapon.
In return the US would grant billions of dollars in relief from sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.