Further progress was made in the third round of nuclear talks with the US and "technical talks" are planned to begin on Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters on Thursday evening.

If these take place, the details of a possible agreement are likely to be negotiated.

"Perhaps the seriousness of reaching an agreement was more visible than before," the minister said, referring to the third round of talks.

Time is needed for consultations with the governments in the capitals and to prepare some documents. "It was the best and most serious round," he added.

The negotiations concern Iran's controversial nuclear program as Washington seeks to prevent the leadership in Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.

The Iranian government denies any such intentions, but is willing to limit its nuclear programme, and demands in return that the US lift crippling economic sanctions.

On Wednesday, Iran submitted a first draft of a new agreement.