Iran nuclear deal deadline may be extended to bridge 'serious gaps' in dialogue

Foreign ministers trying to reach an agreement on Iran's nuclear programme in Vienna are considering extending the negotiations as the Monday deadline looms large with "serious gaps" in the dialogue.

The P5+1 nations, including, the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, China, Germany and France, and Iranian officials said on Sunday evening that they were discussing the possibility of extending the negotiations as a comprehensive agreement was still far away. Diplomats suggested that they may be looking at agreeing to an interim framework, reported the BBC.

The six nations accuse Iran of building nuclear weapons under the pretense of developing its nuclear capabilities for civilian purposes. They want Tehran to curb its nuclear ambitions in return for the lifting of United Nations sanctions.

The world powers struck an interim deal with Iran last year, known as the Geneva Accord that persuaded Tehran to curb some of its uranium enrichment in lieu of relief from sanctions.

The two sides failed to reach an agreement by July and therefore, agreed to extend the deadline to November 24.