US not considering extension for June 30 deadline: State Department

US not considering extension for June 30 deadline: State Department

Wed May 27, 2015 6:54PM

Representatives of Iran and P5+1 powers meet in Vienna, Austria on April 24, 2015. (AFP photo)

The United States says it is not considering an extension for a June 30 deadline for reaching a final agreement between the P5+1 group of countries and Iran.
"We're not contemplating any extension beyond June 30," State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke told reporters on Wednesday.
Rathke said the world powers are working along with Tehran to finalize a deal on its nuclear program by the end of June.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister said earlier in the day that the Iranian team is trying to reach a “good deal” and for such an agreement the extension of the deadline could be a possibility.
"We are trying to do everything before the deadline but the deadline is not something sacred for us, if we need more time to continue our discussion, we will certainly do that, we will certainly extend, maybe a few days," he said.
"I don’t know, I’m not still in a position to judge about that but what we are  committed to is a good deal with all of its details, so we don’t be a hostage to any timetable, we try our best to remain committed to the date, the date is not something sacred."
He made the remarks upon his arrival in the Austrian capital of Vienna, where a fresh round of nuclear talks is going on between members of the Iranian team and representatives of the P5+1.

US Secretary of State John Kerry (left) and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed hope of reaching an accord by the June 30 deadline.
He is expected to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as part of "the ongoing EU-coordinated P5+1 negotiations" in the Swiss city of Geneva on Saturday, the State Department spokesman said.
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