Iran says no extension being considered for nuclear talks

An Iranian official has said all parties to nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1 are making serious efforts to find solutions to the outstanding issues surrounding Tehran’s nuclear program, adding there is no talk yet of extending the negotiations beyond the March 31 deadline to reach a mutual understanding.

Speaking to reporters in the Swiss city of Lausanne late on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry’s Director General for Political Affairs Hamid Baidinejad said the issue of continuing the talks beyond the March 31 deadline has not been raised yet, adding that finding solutions to the remaining issues is of “importance to all.”

“All [the negotiating sides] emphasize that the chance should not be missed and they are all doing their best,” he added.

The Iranian negotiator also said no agreement has been finalized yet between Iran and P5+1, noting that all the parties believe they should focus on further efforts to achieve their objectives and reach a mutual understanding.

“The marathon meetings will continue so that we reach a final agreement,” Baidinejad pointed out.

Asked whether the points of difference were technical or political, the official said ministerial-level discussions “may have a technical framework, but have important political aspects.”

The senior Foreign Ministry official emphasized that all the negotiating parties should make their own decisions and work on new formulas to settle the outstanding issues.

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