EU's Mogherini says ongoing nuclear talks "to be tough"

The ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the world powers "are going to be tough", said European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on Sunday, as the deadline for the final deal is drawing near.

Referring to Iranian nuclear talks, she said: "It has always been tough but not impossible. As I said, it's a matter of political will."

After arriving in Vienna on Sunday morning, Mogherini told reporters that there is a certain leeway on the June 30 deadline if the two sides are closing in on a deal.

"If a few days more are needed we will take them," she said.

On Monday, Iranian foreign minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif also reiterated that the country prefers a "good" deal even if it means going beyond the self-imposed deadline for clinching a comprehensive nuclear agreement.

Iran and the P5 plus 1 group, namely China, France, Russia, Britain and the United States, plus Germany, have held several rounds of talks on a comprehensive nuclear accord since 2008.

Iran's nuclear program has long been a subject of concern for western powers, who believe it will be geared toward developing nuclear weapons. Iran insists it has an inalienable right to develop its civilian atomic plan. Enditem