France has warned it is ready to block a final deal between Iran and the six major powers on Iran's nuclear programme unless Tehran provide inspectors access to all installations, including military sites, reports Reuters.
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, last week ruled out international inspection of Iran's military sites or access to nuclear scientists under any agreement. Iran's military leaders echoed his remarks.
"France will not accept (a deal) if it is not clear that inspections can be done at all Iranian installations, including military sites," French foreign minister Laurent Fabius told lawmakers in Paris.
As talks resumed in Vienna on Wednesday to bridge gaps in negotiating positions before a June 30 deadline, the United States said it was not considering an extension, despite comments from France and Iran indicating wiggle room.
"We're not contemplating any extension beyond June 30," State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke told reporters in Washington, saying the United States believed it was possible to meet the self-imposed deadline.
To that end, U.S. secretary of state John Kerry will meet his Iranian counterpart, Javad Zarif, in Geneva on May 30. The lead U.S. negotiator, Wendy Sherman, flew to Vienna on Wednesday for nuclear talks among Iran and the major powers and will join Kerry in Geneva before resuming talks in the Austrian capital.
Iran's state TV quoted senior nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi as saying the deadline could be extended, echoing comments by France's ambassador to the United States. Gérard Araud said on Tuesday that a deal was not likely by June 30 because technical details would still need to be resolved.