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Momentum for Iran deal builds

The Iran nuclear talks have been extended until July 7 as the Iranian and US officials present in Vienna express optimism and mutual reassurance.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L)  meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif at a hotel in Vienna, Austria June 30, 2015.  Kerry and  Zarif held a "productive" meeting in Vienna on Tuesday, the State Department said, as negotiations on curbing Iran's nuclear program were extended. REUTERS/State Department/Handout  FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVI

VIENNA — The Iran nuclear negotiations appeared to gather momentum June 30 and were extended until July 7, as Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif rejoined the talks, saying he had a mandate to reach a final deal and he believed they could do it.

Zarif’s consultations in Iran were related to Iran seeking reassurance that sanctions relief in a final deal would actually materialize in exchange for the nuclear commitments that it would make, sources briefed by negotiators told Al-Monitor. In exchange for such reassurances, it was expected that Iranian negotiators would be able to offer more flexibility on nuclear-related issues to be able to conclude the deal.

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