GENEVA — Significant differences remain between the United States and Iran over a nuclear deal, but the two sides are clear on what needs to be resolved and the urgency of doing it before a June 30 deadline, a senior Obama administration official said Saturday.
The statement came after six hours of talks in Geneva between Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
The discussions, the official said, were “intense at times” as both sought clarification of the two biggest issues between them. Iran wants to know exactly which sanctions against it will be lifted and when.
The United States and its global partners in the negotiations want specific mention in a final deal of international verification and monitoring provisions that include all Iranian sites, including military facilities.
Other issues that remain unresolved include the extent to which Iran will provide details of its nuclear research history.
“All issues were reviewed,” but “differences still remain,” Iranian negotiator Abbas Araghchi told reporters as his delegation departed for Iran.
Much of the talks centered on technical issues that will be part of several annexes to the final accord, which is in draft form.
Talks between technical experts are due to continue Thursday in Vienna.
