( CNN ) U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday that `` we need to close ... gaps '' with Iran in talks about its nuclear program , adding that those negotiating with Iranian officials `` are deeply committed to ensuring that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon . '' Iran faces a March 24 deadline to reach a deal about its nuclear program . Several interim agreements have been made in recent months , though a long-term pact so far has been elusive . Speaking in Paris alongside French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius , Kerry said progress has been made `` but there remain gaps , divergences . '' He acknowledged `` the days are ticking by , '' but that does n't mean there 's an urgent rush to reach an agreement . `` We have to get the right deal , '' the top U.S. diplomat said . Kerry said one thing all members of the P5+1 group -- which consists of the United States , Russia , China , the United Kingdom and France , plus Germany -- agree on is that it 's imperative Iran does n't develop nuclear arms . Iranian minister : Some consider peace an 'existential threat ' Officials in Tehran have publicly insisted they want a nuclear program for energy purposes , not to create atomic weaponry . `` We will find out whether or not ... Iran 's prepared to take the steps to answer the questions that the world has a right to get answers to , '' Kerry said .
Iran faces a March 24 deadline to reach a deal with world powers on its nuclear program . The U.S. and other Western nations have accused Tehran of developing atomic weapons in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban the country from pursuing such weapons.