DHAKA: Iran and six world powers started a round of talks in Vienna on Tuesday, hoping to make progress in their years-old dispute over Tehran’s nuclear intentions despite a crisis over Crimea that has fuelled tensions among the powers.

The powers, the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany, want Iran to curtail its nuclear program to the point when they would feel secure it could not yield bombs.

Tehran, a major oil producer which says its nuclear program is entirely peaceful, wants the West to lift economic sanctions, particularly against its oil and banking sectors.

The sides hope to have a deal done by the middle of July but diplomats are wary that a conflict between the West and Russia over Moscow’s takeover of the Ukrainian region of Crimea could complicate the talks, reports The Jerusalem Post.

BDST: 1852 HRS, MAR 18, 2014