Iran nuclear talks deadline extended Published duration 31 March 2015 Related Topics Iran nuclear deal

image copyright EPA image caption The negotiations are being chaired by the EU's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini

Nuclear talks between six world powers and Iran will continue into Wednesday, US officials say.

The US state department said that "enough progress" had been made to merit working through a midnight (22:00 GMT) deadline.

But spokeswoman Marie Harf added that "several difficult issues" still remained.

World powers want to restrict Iran's nuclear programme in return for relief from crippling sanctions.

Earlier, there were suggestions that a general statement would be released focusing on points of agreement, which would be enough to allow for a new phase of talks on a comprehensive deal.

But there is no sign that the most contentious issues have been resolved.

"The negotiations will end when solutions have been found," said Iranian negotiator Hamid Baidinejad. "We are not watching the clock."

The so-called P5+1 - the US, UK, France, China and Russia plus Germany - are seeking to ensure Iran could not assemble a nuclear weapon in less than a year.

The Iranians insist that they have no such ambition.

'Good' chance

Foreign ministers met several times at Lausanne's Beau-Rivage Palace hotel on Tuesday morning in a high-level push to meet the self-imposed deadline to agree a political framework agreement by the end of the day.

Russia's top diplomat, Sergei Lavrov, announced that prospects were "very good and promising", and said he was returning to the talks after leaving for another engagement on Monday.

image copyright AFP image caption Journalists are gathered outside Lausanne's Beau-Rivage Palace hotel, waiting for news from the talks

image copyright AP image caption US Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday's talks had produced "a little more light"

The BBC's Barbara Plett Usher, who is at the talks, says that the deadline extension signifies the difficulty of reaching agreement on some of the outstanding issues, but also the prospect of achieving some kind of deal.

Officials told the Associated Press that there were plans to issue a "framework understanding", accompanied by documents outlining more technical details.

This would be enough for all parties to continue negotiations in a new phase aimed at achieving a comprehensive accord by 30 June, our correspondent says.

At the scene: Lyse Doucet, BBC News, Lausanne

Six days of intense talks which always ended late and started early are, as predicted, going into the final hours, if not beyond, of a midnight deadline.

The chandeliered rooms at the furthest edge of the Beau-Rivage are packed with journalists and swirling with rumours.

There are a few facts - the Russian Foreign Minister's return signals progress. There are a few statements - a US spokesman says they are willing to keep working into tomorrow "if useful". And there are whispered conversations about buses arriving, delegations packing.

Sources say three possible locations have been prepared for the announcement when it comes including two in Lausanne, and one in Geneva at UN headquarters. Iran's foreign minister, who was ambassador in New York when UN sanctions were imposed, wanted the announcement to be at the UN in Geneva to undo what was done.

But if it goes into the early hours, pragmatism not politics may mean a venue in Lausanne.

After months of negotiations, she adds, the basic outline is well known: Iran would scale back the dimensions of its nuclear programme and subject it to rigorous inspection for at least 10 years. In exchange, there would be an easing and eventual termination of UN, US and EU sanctions.

However, there has not been an agreement on some of the key technical details and political trade-offs involved in making that happen. These are said to include:

Length of restrictions - Iran's nuclear activities would be strictly limited for at least 10 years. After that, Iran wants all limits to be lifted. The P5+1 says they should be removed progressively over the following five years

- Iran's nuclear activities would be strictly limited for at least 10 years. After that, Iran wants all limits to be lifted. The P5+1 says they should be removed progressively over the following five years Sanctions relief - Iran wants the UN sanctions suspended soon after an agreement. The P5+1 says they should be eased in a phased manner, with restrictions on imports of nuclear-related technology remaining for years

- Iran wants the UN sanctions suspended soon after an agreement. The P5+1 says they should be eased in a phased manner, with restrictions on imports of nuclear-related technology remaining for years Non-compliance - The US and its European allies want a mechanism that would allow suspended UN sanctions to be put back into effect rapidly if Iran reneges on a deal. Russia reportedly accepts this, but wants to ensure its Security Council veto rights are protected

Another point of contention is Iran's desire to be able to develop advanced centrifuges, which could enrich uranium faster and in greater quantities. While enriched uranium is used as fuel for nuclear reactors, it can also be used to make nuclear bombs.

Adding to the list of issues to be resolved, Iran's lead negotiator ruled out on Sunday sending its existing stockpile of nuclear fuel abroad, one of the steps demanded by the P5+1.