VIENNA: Iran and six powers failed yesterday for a second time this year to resolve their 12-year dispute over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, and gave themselves seven more months to overcome the deadlock that has prevented an historic deal.
Western officials said they were aiming to secure an agreement on the substance of a final accord by March but that more time would be needed to reach a consensus on the all-important technical details.
Iranian President Hassan Rowhani, who is trying to win relief from crippling international economic sanctions by patching up relations with the West, said that “many gaps were narrowed and our positions with the other side got closer” at talks in Vienna, state TV quoted him as saying.
US Secretary of State John Kerry gave a more sombre assessment, saying “real and substantial progress had been made but adding that “some significant points of disagreement” remained.
Reuters
