US Gives Iran Nuclear Talks 50/50 Chance of Success

State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said that the ongoing Iran nuclear talks may succeed with a 50/50 chance.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf gave the ongoing Iran nuclear talks a 50/50 chance of success as she spoke on the progress just hours ahead of the deadline.

"There's – I would probably say 50/50 – I don't know, I never like putting percentages out there – but there's a chance we will get it done," she said, adding the mood at the talks was "sober" and "intense."

Harf underscored that all negotiators are realistic about the challenges in front of them, but said they "still see a path to get a political understanding."

Iran and six world powers – the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany – are racing against the clock to secure a political framework before the deadline expires on Tuesday night.

The head of Iran's expert team at the talks said late Monday they had to unravel layers upon layers of problems that hindered the progress.

Some sticking points involve the pace and timing of lifting anti-Iranian sanctions, the number and types of centrifuges, Iran's nuclear stockpiles and kinds of nuclear research that Tehran will be allowed to do.