Iran, world powers can reach agreement despite tough negotiations: U.S.

The U.S. State Department has said the negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program are “tough” and “complicated”, although it voiced optimism that the talks could lead to a final deal by July.

“We can see … there’s a path forward and been very clear about where there will be tougher negotiations ahead. But we do feel like we can start drafting and do feel like we can get this done by July 20th,” said State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf at her daily press briefing on Monday.

Further she noted that “nothing is agreed until everything’s agreed, so we could get to 95 percent and still not have an agreement.”

“This is a very tough negotiation with very complicated issues. And I don’t want anyone to think a deal is imminent. We have made progress, but we have a lot more work to do,” she added.

“We don’t know if we will, if we’ll all be able to, but we think we can,” she added.

Iran and the 5+1 group - the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China plus Germany – are leading negotiations to build on an interim deal struck in November, under which Tehran agreed not to expand its nuclear program for six months in exchange for limited sanctions relief. The agreement came into force on January 20.

Iran and the major powers have set a July 20 deadline to clinch a long-term deal that would lead to a gradual lifting of all nuclear-related sanctions. However, the deadline can be extended for another six months.