Obama Says Further Extension of Iran Nuclear Talks Not 'Useful'

U.S. President Barack Obama

U.S. President Barack Obama said on February 9 that a further extension of nuclear negotiations with Iran will not be useful if Tehran does not agree to a basic framework.

Obama made the comments at the White House after a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

He said, "At this juncture I don't see a further extension being useful if they have not agreed to the basic formulation and the bottom line that the world requires.”

Iran and six global powers have set a March target for a political agreement and a June 30 deadline for a comprehensive deal aimed at ensuring that Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons.

Obama said the issues discussed at the nuclear talks are no longer "technical."

"The issues now are: does Iran have the political will and the desire to get a deal done," he said.

With reporting by Reuters