British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said world powers and Iran have a “long way to go” if they are to succeed in reaching a nuclear agreement by a November 24 deadline.

Speaking on November 21 in Vienna where talks over Iran’s nuclear program are taking place, Hammond said Iran has a “huge” amount to gain if it can show sufficient flexibility.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius urged Iran to “seize this opportunity.”

As the talks got underway on November 20, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said world powers are “united” in their search for a deal, but are not talking about extending the deadline.

Russia’s chief negotiator, Sergei Ryabkov, described the atmosphere as tense and said reaching agreement would be very difficult.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohommad Javad Zarif was expected to leave the talks on November 21 and return to Tehran for consultations.
Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP
RFE/RL