Diplomats: Iran atomic talks move toward extension
By GEORGE JAHN and MATTHEW LEE, Associated Press
Nov 23, 2014 11:15 AM CST
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov waves from the balcony of Palais Coburg where closed-door nuclear talks with Iran take place in Vienna, Austria, Sunday, Nov.23, 2014. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)   (Associated Press)

VIENNA (AP) — The U.S. and five other nations trying to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran are turning away from attempting to reach an agreement by deadline and have started internal discussions on extending the talks, diplomats said Sunday.

The decision comes less than two days before the deadline at midnight Monday for a deal attempting to cap Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

Two Western diplomats told The Associated Press that formal extension discussions haven't yet started with Iran.

But the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany have started talks among themselves on approaches they could present to Tehran. At the same time, formal talks with Iran on bridging the differences are continuing.

"It is only natural that less than 48 hours from the deadline we are discussing a range of options," a third Western diplomat said. "An extension is one of those options. It should come as no surprise that we will also engage in a discussion of the options with the Iranians at some point as well."

All three diplomats were speaking on condition of anonymity, because they weren't allowed to share details of the confidential negotiations.

Beyond assurances that the Iranians are not just talking for the sake of winning time, the U.S. administration wants to show to congressional skeptics that there is sense to further negotiations.

Should such a plan be agreed upon, one possibility for a resumption of talks would be the first week in December when U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry plans to return to Europe for a previously scheduled NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, and an international conference in London.

Diplomats familiar with the negotiations said sizable gaps remain between the U.S. and Iran on the key issue of how deeply Tehran would have to reduce nuclear activities that could be turned to making arms.

Iran denies any interest in such weapons, but is negotiating because it wants an end to nuclear-related international sanctions.

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Margaret Childs contributed from Vienna.

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