Political Will Needed to Resolve Issues in Nuclear Talks: Iran's FM


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran's chief negotiator in nuclear talks with world powers said the parties have managed to make some progress towards a final deal on Tehran's nuclear program, but the ideal point is still distant.

"Progresses have been made in the course of negotiations, but we have not still reached the intended point," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told reporters on Friday, speaking from a balcony of Vienna's Palais Coburg hotel while having a short break in talks with foreign diplomats.

"There are remaining jobs that we have to finish," he added.

Asked whether the Iranian team will have to stay in Vienna until Monday, Zarif said he hopes they would not.

Commenting on his meetings with US Secretary of State John Kerry, Zarif described them as constructive.

He underlined that the remaining issues could be resolved with "political will".

Diplomats from Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) are engaged in tight diplomatic meetings in Vienna to clinch a lasting deal on Tehran's nuclear program.

Over the past two weeks, they have twice extended deadlines for completing a long-term nuclear agreement.

Negotiators have given themselves until the end of the day on Friday.