Iran talks likely to be extended
Most observers expect the United States, its allies, and Iran to extend negotiations on a long-term nuclear agreement into next year, despite Monday's deadline.
The Associated Press, citing unnamed western diplomats at talks in Vienna, reported that "nuclear negotiators have failed to meet a Monday deadline for a deal that would ease international concerns about Iran's atomic program and are poised to extend the negotiations for a comprehensive agreement until July 2015."
The AFP news service quoted a western official as saying that "given progress made this weekend, talks headed to likely extension with experts and negotiating teams reconvening in December at a yet to be determined location."
The U.S. and its allies are offering to reduce sanctions on Iran if it gives up the means to make nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful energy purposes.
The parties reached a temporary deal a year ago, and have been working on a long-term agreement in the months since.
Secretary of State John Kerry is in Vienna for the talks.
Members of the U.S. Congress, suspicious of Iran's intentions, have said they will block an agreement they find unacceptable. The government of Israel, fearful that Iran wants nuclear weapons, has also expressed concern about an agreement.
In a weekend interview with ABC's This Week, Obama said "the good news is that the interim deal that we entered into (last year) has definitely stopped Iran's nuclear program from advancing ... So it's been successful."
He added: "Now the question is, can we get to a more permanent deal? And the gaps are still significant."