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LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The White House says the nuclear talks in Switzerland involving Iran and six world powers could be extended past today's deadline, if enough progress is made to justify it.
The statement suggested that negotiators haven't bridged all of the gaps, but that the sides are trying to produce a text with few specifics. There would also be documents outlining the areas where additional talks are needed.
Spokesman Josh Earnest says President Barack Obama has been updated on the latest status of the talks -- and that it's possible that Obama will be in touch with members of the negotiating team.
Officials earlier said that they hoped to wrap up six days of marathon talks with a statement agreeing to continue negotiations in a new phase in an effort to limit Iran's nuclear program.
A senior Iranian negotiator says his side "can stay as long as necessary" to reach an agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is renewing his criticism of the unfolding deal. He says it would leave intact much of Iran's nuclear infrastructure, including underground research facilities, a plutonium reactor and advanced centrifuges capable of enriching uranium.
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156-a-04-(Josh Earnest, White House press secretary, at news conference)-"should keep going"-White House press secretary Josh Earnest says it's possible the talks will extend beyond tonight's deadline. (31 Mar 2015)
<<CUT *156 (03/31/15)££ 00:04 "should keep going"
158-a-08-(Josh Earnest, White House press secretary, at news conference)-"than a year"-White House press secretary Josh Earnest says the Obama administration wants a deal sooner than later. (31 Mar 2015)
<<CUT *158 (03/31/15)££ 00:08 "than a year"
APPHOTO TOK305: Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, center right, European Union High Representative Federica Mogherini, center left, and other officials from Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States wait for the start of a meeting on Iran's nuclear program at the Beau Rivage Palace Hotel in Lausanne, Switzerland Tuesday, March 31, 2015. Diplomats scrambled Tuesday to reach consensus on the outline of an Iran nuclear deal just hwait for the start of a meeting on Iran's nuclear program ours ahead of a self-imposed deadline to produce an agreement. (AP Photo/Brendan Smialowski, Pool) (31 Mar 2015)
<<APPHOTO TOK305 (03/31/15)££
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