A senior Iranian official has said Iran’s talks with global powers could be extended for another six months if no deal is reached by a July 20th deadline.

US and Iranian officials held talks in Geneva on Monday. The talks are aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for an end to sanctions against Iran. The substance of the discussions was kept private, but the US says it will brief the media about the results on Thursday.

The talks ran into difficulties last month. Western officials say Iran’s uranium capability is far beyond what is suitable for its civilian nuclear power stations. Iran says it has already made some concessions. It has diluted half of its higher-grade enriched uranium stockpile. Washington says the talks will continue on Tuesday and it would send its No.2 diplomat to Geneva meet the Iranian delegation. The latest two-day talks are the first direct official talks between the US and Iran since they broke off diplomatic relations in 1980. The next round of Vienna talks is scheduled for June 16-20.