No Iran deal at all is better than a bad agreement, claims British minister

Britain’s foreign secretary has said that failure to reach an agreement with Iran over its nuclear programme is better than a “bad deal”, Anadolu has reported.

“We still have very big challenges if we are going to be able to get this deal done,” Philip Hammond told reporters on Sunday in Vienna where negotiations continue between Iran and the world powers. “There are red lines that we cannot cross and some very difficult decisions and tough choices are going to have to be made by all of us.”

Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that she and concerned foreign ministers and deputies are due to meet to review what has been achieved so far. “If a few more days are needed we will take them,” she told reporters on arrival in Vienna.

Mogherini said that despite the challenges, it would take political will from all sides to reach an agreement. “It is going to be tough… but not impossible,” she added. “It is a matter of political will.”

Observers expect the deadline for a comprehensive agreement, set for 30 June, to be extended to 9 July.