Iran must be 'more realistic' in nuclear talks - Britain's Hague

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Sunday it was crucial for Iran "to be more realistic about what is necessary" to reach a nuclear deal with six major powers that would end sanctions against Tehran in exchange for curbs on its atomic work.        

Hague was speaking to reporters after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. Together with their French and German counterparts, they are in Vienna to help break a deadlock in the nuclear negotiations with Iran, a week before a deadline to reach an agreement.

Hague also said it is too early to consider extending the talks between Iran and six world powers on Tehran's nuclear programme beyond next week's deadline, though major divisions remain between the two sides.    

"There are very significant gaps, that is very clear," he told reporters about the positions of Iran and the six powers - the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China.            

"It is unlikely there will be a quick breakthrough today but we ... shall see what scope there is for making a progress before July 20," Hague added.

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said there were major differences between Iran and six world powers negotiating on Tehran's nuclear program, remarks that were echoed by a senior Iranian negotiator.

"Obviously we have some very significant gaps still, so we need to see if we can make some progress," Kerry said ahead of meetings on Iran with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and other European foreign ministers who came to the Austrian capital to join the talks.

Kerry's sentiments were echoed by a senior Iranian negotiator, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who was quoted by state television as saying that "disputes over all major and important issues still remain. We have not been able to narrow the gaps on major issues and it is not clear whether we can do it."