Iran talks on nuclear deal in deadlock

Nuclear negotiations between Tehran and six other world powers were unlikely to finish late last night, Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, with diplomats reporting deadlock over a UN arms embargo and other sticking points.

The White House said that significant issues remained to be resolved and Iran faced some tough decisions. An Iranian diplomat told Iran’s students newsagency ISNA that a ministerial meeting, which Iranian media earlier reported would take place at 7pm was unlikely to happen immediately.

Officials close to the negotiations spoke of the increasing frustration on the part of European delegates regarding Kerry’s apparent unwillingness to walk away but the White House said “genuine progress” had been made and the US negotiating team would stay in Vienna as long as negotiations remained useful.