Talks extended through Monday

The negotiations over Iran's nuclear program have been extended through Monday, according to a senior US State Department official.

This is the third extension on the final round of talks to reach a deal curbing Iran's nuclear programme.

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The State Department said the extension would allow for additional time to negotiate, and that the interim agreement known as the Joint Plan of Action would accordingly be extended through Monday.

The Council of Europe website noted that the freeze of E.U. sanctions specified in the plan will therefore continue through July 13.

Earlier yesterday, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also indicated the talks were likely to drag on.

"I doubt it will happen today," Zarif told reporters in Vienna about reaching a deal. But when asked if negotiators would all be there on Monday, Zarif yelled from a balcony "I hope not."

Zarif made the comments after meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry and the EU's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini in Vienna.

"We had a constructive meeting this morning with Secretary Kerry and Mogherini," Zarif told reporters, saying "We are making progress."

Russian president Vladimir Putin said yesterday that all sanction from Iran need to be lifted and said he hopes the talks reach a resolution soon.