Iran nuclear talks aimed at agreeing the outlines of a landmark deal with major powers by midnight are advancing, but "slowly," an Iranian negotiator said late afternoon Tuesday.

Iran nuclear talks aimed at agreeing the outlines of a landmark deal with major powers by midnight are advancing, but "slowly," an Iranian negotiator said late afternoon Tuesday.

"We are advancing but slowly. In view of the complexity of the issues and the fact that this is the final look at the issues, it is happening slowly," said Behrouz Kamalvandi. "We have to show patience."

Iran ready to keep talking to resolve tough issues
  
Iran is ready to keep talking "as long as necessary" to agree the outlines of a deal to curtail its nuclear programme, but several issues remain unresolved, a senior Iranian official said Tuesday.

"We are focused on the issues which are still not resolved. Solutions have been proposed to the parties, they have made their comments ... but the process must continue to reach a solution," a member of the negotiating team Hamid Baidinejad told reporters.

Iran and the six world powers have been in talks to resolve outstanding issues surrounding Tehran’s nuclear program to pave the way for striking an overarching deal on the country’s nuclear program as a deadline slated for July 1 draws closer.