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Iran nuclear talks could extend through Wednesday

By Danielle Haynes
Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, left, returned to Switzerland on Tuesday to rejoin Iranian nuclear negotiations indicating an agreement could be on the horizon. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (right) and representatives from several European countries were also involved int he talks. File photo by Maryam Rahmanian/UPI
Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, left, returned to Switzerland on Tuesday to rejoin Iranian nuclear negotiations indicating an agreement could be on the horizon. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (right) and representatives from several European countries were also involved int he talks. File photo by Maryam Rahmanian/UPI | License Photo

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, March 31 (UPI) -- The deadline for an agreement on Iran's nuclear program is hours away, but U.S. officials say that if it looks as if a deal can be reached, negotiations may be pushed into Wednesday.

The negotiations, taking place in Lausanne, Switzerland, are being held by foreign ministers from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China and Germany with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. A self-imposed Tuesday night deadline to agree on a political framework was set so talks over technical details on a comprehensive accord can begin ahead of a June 30 deadline.

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One Western official, who spoke to The New York Times on condition of anonymity, said the talks had been difficult, while one senior U.S. State Department official said so far progress had been insufficient.

"We will of course keep working if we are continuing to make progress," the official said in an email to the Times on Tuesday, "including into tomorrow, if it's useful to do so."

White House spokesman Josh Earnest also indicated negotiations could continue Wednesday.

"Our negotiators have determined, over the context of a mostly sleepless night last night . . . and today . . . they're going to continue these conversations tomorrow, if necessary, and as long as the conversations continue to be productive," he told reporters in Washington.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov returned to Switzerland on Tuesday to take part in the talks. He left Monday, saying he would return to the negotiating table if it looked like there was a "realistic" chance at an agreement.

Leaders hope for a breakthrough after almost 18 months of negotiations over Iran's nuclear program, which Iran continues to say is peaceful. Western officials want to impose limits that would prevent Iran from producing enough material to create a nuclear weapon within a year.

Western leaders want restrictions on Iran's nuclear program for a 15-year period in exchange for a gradual easing of sanctions against the country. The number of centrifuges is also part of the negotiations, with Iran originally insisting on keeping 10,000 operating but dialing back to as low as 6,500.

Iran's economy has been hamstrung by the sanctions and the country seeks to revive crude oil exports.

In November 2013, the country secured relief from some economic sanctions and allowed limited crude oil exports in exchange for limiting its nuclear research activity. A breakthrough at the negotiating table in Switzerland would open an Iranian spigot on a market already favoring the supply side.

Dan Graeber and Andrew V. Pestano contributed to this report.

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