Iran nuclear talks extended to July 7

VIENNA, June 30 (UPI) -- The deadline for completion of a nuclear agreement with Iran was moved from Tuesday to July 7, the U.S. State Department announced.

The extension was agreed to by Iran and the "P5+1" countries – the United States, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and Germany – during negotiations in Vienna to "allow more time for negotiations to reach a long-term solution," and came after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif met privately for two hours Tuesday.

Prior to the meeting with Zarif, Kerry said, "I think the negotiations have reached a very delicate stage. We can make progress, but this will require political will, and a lot of work needs to be done at this stage. I am here to get a final deal and I think we can."

Zarif returned Tuesday morning from Tehran, where he consulted with Iran's leaders, bringing Ali Akbar Salehi of the Energy Organization of Iran. None of the parties involved in the negotiations expected a deal to be brokered by the self-imposed deadline, but Salehi's presence in Vienna is an indication of Iran's interest in accelerating the talks and striking a deal.

Iran seeks a removal of economic sanctions in exchange for assurances its growing nuclear program will be used for peaceful purposes.

Details of the treaty must be presented to the U.S. Congress by July 9 for it to be considered, and voted upon, within a 30-day window. If it arrives after July 9, Congress has 60 days to act.