Tehran, Apr 9 (RHC), – Iran and six world powers have wrapped up their third round of talks aimed at reaching a comprehensive deal on Tehran’s nuclear energy program.

The talks, which started on Tuesday in Vienna, ended on Wednesday between deputy foreign ministers of Iran and the six powers – the US, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany.

At the end of the talks, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said Iran and the world powers agreed to meet again on May 13.

Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, said the parties were moving to the next stage of the negotiations, but noted that a lot of intensive work is still needed to bridge differences about Iran’s nuclear program.

Iran and the world powers reached an interim deal on November 24, 2013, in the Swiss city of Geneva. The deal took effect on January 20.

Under the Geneva deal, the six countries undertook to provide Iran with some sanctions relief in exchange for Iran agreeing to limit certain aspects of its nuclear activities during a six-month period. It was also agreed that no nuclear-related sanctions would be imposed on Iran within the same timeframe.

The West has been at odds with Iran over the latter's controversial nuclear program, which the Islamic Republic claims pursues scientific and economic goals.