France, which blocked an interim deal in 2013 until changes were made, has doubts about trying to secure the framework agreement at the talks in Lausanne, Switzerland. It has suggested focusing on the June deadline.

„(Saying that) an agreement has to be reached by the end of March is a bad tactic,“ French Ambassador to Washington and former nuclear negotiator Gerard Araud said last week, warning against putting „pressure on ourselves to conclude at any price“.