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Deadline For Iran Nuclear Talks Extended

Talks over Iran's nuclear programme have been extended by seven months after Tehran and six world powers failed to reach an agreement during discussions in Vienna.

Officials say they need more time to secure a deal and resolve the 12-year dispute over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

The deadline for the talks has been extended until 30 June, 2015. Attempts will be made to have a framework deal in place by 1 March, according to officials.

Under the extension, Iran will be able to continue to access some $700m (£446m) in sanctions relief each month.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said they had "made some significant progress" and there was now a clear target for a "headline agreement", with talks to resume in December.

He said: "The expectation is that there will be a rollover of the current arrangements for Iran to access around $700m per month of frozen assets."

Secretary of State John Kerry described the outcome of the Vienna talks as "real and substantial progress".

Western powers are seeking to scale down Tehran's uranium enrichment activities to prevent the country from obtaining a nuclear bomb.

In return, Tehran wants UN and Western sanctions lifted. The sanctions, which were imposed over Tehran's pursuit of its nuclear programme, have crippled the Iranian economy.

Tehran denies it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons and insists its nuclear programme is peaceful.

A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency shows Iran has reduced its stockpile of low-enriched uranium gas and taken other action to comply with an interim agreement made last year.

But differences over the extent of Tehran's uranium enrichment programme and the number of centrifuges Iran would be allowed to operate have stalled the talks.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the decision to grant Tehran some sanction relief in 2013, calling it an "historic mistake".