Despite the high-level talks on Sunday between U.S. State Secretary John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in a bid to have a comprehensive agreement by the end of February, significant gaps remain.

Kerry said there remains some more distance for the two parties to trek before that deal is reached, reports Washington Post.

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Zarif disclosed that the discussions - which also included U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, Iran Nuclear Chief Ali Akbar Salehi and Hossein Fereydoon, who is the brother of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani - became so spirited and lively that his bodyguard, on hearing raised voices, peeked to check if everything was okay.

He said most of the gap is psychological, citing as an example the point of the view of American negotiators that sanctions are assets or a leverage to pressure Iran.

"As long as this thinking persists, it will be very hard, difficult to reach a settlement," Zarif explains.

The aim of the U.S. and its five partners - Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia - is to make Iran agree to reduce its ability to make nuclear weapons.

Zarif insisted that Iran is not interested in making those weapons.

If the six would be able to convince Iran to commit not to manufacture nuclear arms, international sanctions would first be eased and then later lifted.

Kerry gave Iran until late March to agree on major principles of a long-term agreement.

Beyond the third month of 2015, Kerry hinted that the talks would cease since U.S. President Barack Obama is not keen on seeking a third extension.

Israel is wary of such a deal and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will explain to the U.S. Congress why it considers such an agreement perilous to the nation as well to world peace.

Even hardliner groups in Iran are not in favor of an agreement, especially with the United States.

Tagsnuclear deal, Iran