World powers and Iran resumed talks Thursday in Vienna , Austria , aimed at reaching a permanent deal on the future of Tehran 's nuclear program ahead of a looming deadline . This is the final round of talks before an interim six-month agreement reached between Iran and the so-called P5+1 group of nations -- the United States , the United Kingdom , France , China , Russia and Germany -- comes to an end July 20 . Iran 's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Wednesday , ahead of the first full session Thursday . Michael Mann , a spokesman for Ashton , told reporters in Vienna that the six world powers were committed to reaching an agreement ahead of the deadline . He described the atmosphere at the talks as `` very workmanlike , very serious , very determined '' and said the negotiations would continue for `` as long as it takes '' for a deal to be forged . The deadline could potentially be extended . Ashton also met Thursday with the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog , the International Atomic Energy Agency , which would play a key role in the implementation of a final agreement , Mann said . Under the interim deal , Iran cut back on parts of its nuclear program and the six nations reduced economic sanctions . For example , Iran agreed not to install new centrifuges , used to enrich uranium . The P5+1 nations agreed to suspend sanctions on gold and precious metals , Iran 's auto sector and Iran 's petrochemical exports . Iran insists that its nuclear program is peaceful , but the world powers fear it has ambitions to build nuclear weapons . Tricky negotiations . Tehran has sounded a more positive tone toward the West since President Hassan Rouhani was elected last year to succeed the more volatile Mahmoud Ahmadinejad . Iran 's state-run Press TV quoted the country 's top nuclear negotiator , Abbas Araqchi , as saying a deal could be reached if `` the Iranian nation 's nuclear rights are consolidated and respected . '' But there 's no guarantee that the two sides will be able to overcome their differences around the negotiating table . Iran wants the final deal to recognize its right to have a peaceful nuclear program . Its negotiators have also signaled they would accept tougher inspections and limits on production of enriched uranium . But in return , Iran wants the world powers to lift their crippling sanctions . However , the world powers expect a final deal that adds further checks and limitations to Iran 's nuclear program . They have even suggested demanding that Iran dismantle some nuclear facilities and shut down thousands of centrifuges , and they may also want some sanctions to stay in place . Iranians on the streets of Tehran told CNN they want to see a nuclear agreement . `` It 's best if we reach a compromise , '' said poet Mohammed Rostami . `` It will help the economy and open things up to the rest of the world . '' `` We have to be hopeful for a deal , otherwise young people will keep leaving Iran , '' said graphic artist Behnaz . Kerry : Iran 's leaders have a choice . In an opinion piece published Monday in The Washington Post , U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry urged Tehran `` to back up its words with concrete and verifiable actions , '' saying this should not be hard if it is being honest about its intentions . `` All along , these negotiations have been about a choice for Iran 's leaders , '' he wrote . `` They can agree to the steps necessary to assure the world that their country 's nuclear program will be exclusively peaceful and not be used to build a weapon , or they can squander a historic opportunity to end Iran 's economic and diplomatic isolation and improve the lives of their people . `` Diplomacy and leadership are marked by tough calls . This should n't be one of them . '' However , despite all the months of talks , Western negotiators still do n't know which way Iran will go , Kerry said -- and a discrepancy remains between what the Iranians say they want from their nuclear program and the content of that program so far .
Negotiators for Iran and one world powers resume nuclear talks in Austria , Austria . They want to reach a permanent agreement on the future of Iran 's nuclear program . An interim deal is due to expire in Monday . Iran secretary of state urges Vienna 's leaders to back up words with concrete actions .