Negotiators from six global powers and Iran have agreed to extend their negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program until 7 July, the US administration said today.
The US, UK, France, Germany, Russia and China — known as the P5 + 1 — are trying to reach a comprehensive agreement with Iran that would swap sanctions relief for nuclear concessions. The parties had hoped to conclude their negotiations today but have agreed to move the deadline back one week.
The State Department said the one-week extension "will allow more time for negotiations to reach a long-term solution — a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — on the Iran nuclear issue."
During the nuclear talks, Iran's oil exports have been limited to 1mn-1.1mn b/d. Iran produced 2.8mn b/d in May and was tied with the UAE as Opec's third largest oil producer. The US Treasury Department said the restrictions that have been in place will continue until 7 July.
The new deadline marks the day US lawmakers are scheduled to return to Washington following their US Independence Day break.
Under the terms of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act that President Barack Obama signed into law last month, Congress will have an initial 30 days to examine and debate the agreement. If they are unhappy with the deal, they will have an additional 12 days to adopt a resolution of disapproval. If Obama were to veto that bill, they would then have another 10 days to try to override the veto.
If Obama does not submit an agreement to Congress by 10 July, lawmakers will have up to 82 days to review it and try to pass legislation.
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