VIENNA — As negotiators braced for yet another possible extension of nuclear talks, Iran demanded on Monday that any deal should include the end to a U.N. arms embargo as well — a condition backed by Russia but opposed by the United States as it seeks to limit Tehran’s Mideast influence.
Late last month, Iran and six world powers gave themselves an extra week past June 30 after it became clear that that original deadline could not be met. The sides now are trying to work out a deal that would limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the easing of tens of billions of dollars in economic penalties on the Islamic Republic.
But disagreements persisted as the sides moved close to the new Tuesday deadline, and White House spokesman Josh Earnest said another extension was “certainly possible.”
Negotiators had previously mentioned the mechanics of curbing Iran’s nuclear programs and the time and pacing of economic sanctions relief as the most contentious problems. But an Iranian official — briefing reporters on condition of anonymity — said Monday that ending the arms embargo was an important part of the deal.
The Iranian decision to publicly bring that issue into the mix suggested that disputes ran deeper than just over the most widely aired issues.