Hours away from the Iran nuclear negotiations deadline, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said talks will likely go past midnight.
“They will continue conversations tomorrow if conversations continue to be productive,” Earnest told reporters Tuesday afternoon. He later added, “It does not make sense to end the talks based on this deadline.”
Extending the talks is contingent on whether the parties are making progress toward the finish line, Earnest said. He was not clear on whether President Barack Obama is willing to walk away, and at what point. The March 31 deadline was already extended from last November.
"It’s time for Iran to make serious decisions,” Earnest said, or Obama will have to move on.
Earnest said March 31 is an “arbitrary deadline,” but a “serious one nonetheless.”
He would not rule out a military solution, but stressed that “intrusive inspections” would grant the U.S. more insight into Iran’s nuclear program than a military solution.
