It’s looking less and less likely that Iran and the six major world powers will reach a long-term deal before the 30 July deadline on curbing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions in return for an end to economic sanctions.  The US and its allies say Tehran is developing nuclear weapons, Iran insists its research is for power and medicine.

If all parties agree, the talks could be extended for another six months, as stipulated in the short-term deal reached last November.  Iran has no problem with that.

“We have to get rid of the sanctions immediately.  Therefore, the talks will end when this issue is totally resolved.  A few more months will kill no one,” said one Iranian official speaking anonymously.  France has said that it would rather reach a good deal than a fast deal.  

But there have been several snags in the talks in Geneva.  One disagreement was on the amount of enrichment centrifuges Iran wanted to maintain was tens of thousands of units beyond what would be acceptable to the West.

The next round of talks is scheduled from 16 to 20 July.