Kerry in Paris as Nuclear Talks Move Toward Deadline

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is meeting Thursday in Paris with the foreign ministers of France and Saudi Arabia to discuss the ongoing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.

Negotiators from Iran and an international group that includes the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany have been in Vienna trying to end a year of talks with a comprehensive agreement.  Their deadline is Monday.

Throughout the process, officials from both sides have given varying degrees of hope and uncertainty about whether they will reach a deal that ensures Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful, while giving Iran relief from international sanctions that have hurt its economy.

Kerry is due to join the talks in Vienna, but State Department press director Jeff Rathke said Wednesday the timing of his arrival had not yet been decided.

The negotiations were originally due to end in July, but with no agreement in place the two sides decided to give themselves another six months.

Rathke said the U.S. remains focused on the Monday deadline and it not talking about another extension.