Nuclear energy in Iran

Iran and UN nuclear monitors took a "major step" toward resolving remaining issues regarding the Islamic republic's disputed atomic programme, an Iranian spokesman said on July 7. 

The foreign ministers of the six world powers that need to make a final decision regarding the Iranian nuclear program will be gathering Monday in Vienna. China, Israel, Russia, the US, Germany and the EU will all have a say in the matter.

Top ministers were due to meet July 6 seeking to conclude an unprecedented nuclear deal with Iran, on the eve of a deadline aiming to draw the curtain on almost two years of high-stakes negotiations.

Foreign ministers from major powers were expected back in Vienna on July 4 seeking to score a huge diplomatic success by nailing down a nuclear deal with Iran after almost two years of intense effort.

Iran said July 1 it has recovered part of its gold reserves frozen under international sanctions after an accord sealed on the sidelines of nuclear negotiations with world powers.

Iran and six major powers gave themselves until July 7 to clinch a historic nuclear deal after a deadline to end marathon talks passed as the clock struck July 1, with no breakthrough in sight.

Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, departed Tehran for Vienna with nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi and Hossein Fereydoon, a brother and close aide to President Hassan Rouhani, for nuclear talks, state news agency IRNA reported on June 30.

Iran is backtracking from an interim nuclear agreement with world powers three months ago, Western officials suggested on June 28, as U.S. and Iranian officials said talks on a final accord would likely run past a June 30 deadline. 

Talks between Iran and the US enter a "critical phase" June 28 with tensions rising just three days from a deadline to nail down a deal thwarting any Iranian nuclear arms drive.

Iran warned on June 26 that "some major problems" need to be resolved before a historic nuclear deal can be agreed, as US Secretary of State John Kerry prepared to fly to Vienna for crunch weekend talks.