US, allies say no lifting of Iran sanctions until suspicions on alleged weapons work cleared

The U.S. and its allies are sticking to demands that Iran clear up all suspicions it worked on nuclear arms if it wants full sanctions relief — but suggest that won't happen by the July 20 target date.

Iran and six world powers have set that date for a deal limiting Tehran's nuclear programs in exchange for an end to sanctions. The West says the agreement also must include a conclusion on whether or Tehran worked on such weapons.

But a U.N. probe has just restarted and senior U.S. envoy Joseph Macmanus on Wednesday called the informal deadline "ambitious." Canadian chief delegate Mark Bailey said such investigations take years.

They spoke outside a meeting of the U.N. atomic agency conducting the probe. Tehran denies any interest in nuclear arms.