Ashton says will continue leading Iran nuke talks until deal reached

PanARMENIAN.Net - European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Monday, Oct 20, she will continue leading nuclear negotiations with Iran until a deal is reached, even if a November deadline is missed, according to Reuters.

Ashton's five-year term as EU foreign policy chief ends at the end of this month, and she had said she would stay on as nuclear negotiator until Nov 24, the deadline for reaching a long-term settlement with Iran over its nuclear program.

Asked if she would continue beyond that date if necessary, she told reporters at an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg: "I have been asked to carry on until it's done."

Ashton, a Briton, negotiates with the Iranian delegation on behalf of the six powers involved in the talks: the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany.