Where things stand: Iran talks approach Nov. 24 deadline with main issues unresolved
Published November 17, 2014
In this Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014, file photo, from left, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, European Union High Representative Catherine Ashton, and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif are photographed as they participate in a trilateral meeting in Vienna, Austria. Iran and six world powers are closer than ever to a deal that would crimp Tehrans ability to make nuclear arms - a status that would lead to a progressive end to sanctions on the Islamic Republic and ease tensions that could boil over into a new Middle East war. The bad news? Substantial differences remain. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, Pool, File)(The Associated Press)
FILE - In this Tuesday, July 15, 2014, file photo, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif speaks to the media after closed-door nuclear talks on Iran take place in Vienna, Austria. Iran and six world powers are closer than ever to a deal that would crimp Tehrans ability to make nuclear arms _ a status that would lead to a progressive end to sanctions on the Islamic Republic and ease tensions that could boil over into a new Middle East war. The bad news? Substantial differences remain. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak, File)(The Associated Press)
In this Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014, file photo, posing for a photo are, from left, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, European Union adviser Catherine Ashton, Omani Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yussef bin Alawi and US Secretary of State John Kerry, in Muscat. Iran and six world powers are closer than ever to a deal that would crimp Tehrans ability to make nuclear arms - a status that would lead to a progressive end to sanctions on the Islamic Republic and ease tensions that could boil over into a new Middle East war. The bad news? Substantial differences remain. (AP PHOTO/NICHOLAS KAMM, POOL)(The Associated Press)
In this Sunday, July 13, 2014, file photo, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier attend a press conference, after their talks between the foreign ministers of the six powers negotiating with Tehran on its nuclear program, in Vienna, Austria. Iran and six world powers are closer than ever to a deal that would crimp Tehrans ability to make nuclear arms _ a status that would lead to a progressive end to sanctions on the Islamic Republic and ease tensions that could boil over into a new Middle East war. The bad news? Substantial differences remain. (AP Photo/Jim Bourg, Pool, File)(The Associated Press)
VIENNA Iran and six world powers are closer than ever to a deal that would crimp Tehran's ability to make nuclear arms a status that would lead to an end to sanctions on the Islamic republic and ease tensions that could boil over into a new Middle East war.
The bad news? Substantial differences remain. A deal by the Nov. 24 target date is unlikely. Both sides may be willing to extend. But that could strengthen opposition in U.S. Congress, triggering a backlash by Iranian hardliners and culminating in the breakup of further negotiations.
With so much at stake, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his counterparts from Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany are planning to join Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at the Vienna talks after they resume Tuesday.
A look at where things stand and where they may go.
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Where things stand: Iran talks approach Nov. 24 deadline with main issues unresolved