Iran nuclear talks: Western nations say key 'sticking points' remain ahead of looming deadline

Western negotiators have said that key "sticking points" still remain even as negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme enter their final stages in Vienna.

While the United States Secretary of State John Kerry said that the nations are working to close "big gaps" ahead of Monday's deadline, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier noted that the sides are "still far apart" on some issues and that the outcome is "completely open at this point," reported the BBC.

The P5+1 nations, including, the U.S., the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia and China, 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.