The European Union extends a freeze on anti-Iran sanctions until July 13 to allow more time for the ongoing talks over Tehran’s nuclear program. This is the second such move this month as the marathon talks continue in the Austrian capital Vienna. The U-S has also said that it is taking the necessary technical steps to extend the Joint Plan of Action until Monday. In the latest round of talks, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif and U-S Secretary of State John Kerry met again on Friday to discuss remaining differences over the text of the deal. They were joined by EU foreign policy Chief Federica Mogherini. Zarif has described his meetings as constructive. He has told reporters that the talks will likely continue during the weekend. Zarif has further emphasized that Iran knows no deadlines for an agreement. Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said that the negotiations are making progress, but they are QUOTE painfully slow.

Diplomatic sources close to the negotiating teams in Vienna say nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries may stretch into the weekend. They say it may take until July 13 for the sides to strike a deal on Iran's nuclear program. Previously, negotiators extended the talks until Friday after they missed the self-imposed deadline of June 30. Meanwhile, the Russian foreign minister says negotiations in the Austrian capital continue with daily progress. On Thursday, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi are holding a meeting with US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. Iran's ambassador to the International Atomic energy Agency Reza Najafi is in attendance at the meeting.

Today, July 7th, marks the self-imposed deadline for Iran and P5+1 group of countries to reach a final deal on Tehran’s nuclear program. Intensive talks are still going on among negotiating teams from Iran and the sextet in the Austrian capital. The EU foreign policy chief and foreign ministers from the permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany are all in Vienna for the final hours of negotiations with Iranian diplomats. The two sides have been trying hard to settle their disagreements and hammer out a comprehensive nuclear agreement. They all admit that significant progress has been made but differences remain on several key issues.

An American journalist says the US Senate is making a nuclear deal with Iran “unlikely.”

Hillary Clinton says she is hopeful the United States can reach a “strong verifiable deal” with Iran over its nuclear program by Tuesday deadline.

Hillary Clinton is a very wily politician who makes many statements just to gain political mileage, a US activist and commentator says.

The US is not the sole partner in the talks between Iran and the P5+1, an American political analyst says.