Burns to lead US delegation for Vienna nuclear talks

WASHINGTON, July 1 (Reuters) - Deputy Secretary of State William Burns will lead the diplomatic group representing the United States in the latest round of talks over Iran's nuclear ambitions that is set to resume in Vienna on Wednesday, according to the U.S. State Department.

The 15-person U.S. delegation will also include Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman and Vice President Joe Biden's National Security Adviser Jacob Sullivan, the department said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Vienna talks with world powers are aimed at resolving a more-than-decade-long standoff with Iran that has raised fears of a new Middle East war and a regional nuclear arms race ahead of a July 20 deadline for an agreement.

Burns led secret negotiations between Iran and the United States that helped yield an interim nuclear agreement in November, and his presence at the talks this week is expected to open up the possibility of bilateral talks between the two long-time antagonists. (Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)