Iran Foreign Minister Sees Good Chance Of Nuclear Deal By Deadline, Or Few Days Later

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohamed Javad Zarif has said international talks on Tehran's nuclear program could be completed by a June 30 deadline or slightly later, provided there was political will.

"There is a political commitment on the part of everybody to move forward," Zarif said on the sidelines of an EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg on June 22.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said London wants a robust nuclear oversight deal with Iran, with full inspections of its facilities an "absolute red line" for any accord.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Paris also wants "an extensive regime of verification, including, if necessary, military sites" and "an automatic return to sanctions in case Iran violates its commitments."

Tehran and six world powers -- the United States, China, Russia, France, Britain, and Germany -- are negotiating a comprehensive deal aimed at getting Iran to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

The White House said the June 30 deadline to agree on a deal is now "firm" but may be pushed back if needed.

Based on reporting by AFP, Reuters, and AP