Final nuclear deal tied to P5+1 goodwill: Iran diplomat

An Iranian official says a final agreement on Tehran's nuclear energy program is achievable before the extended interim deal deadline if the P5+1 group acts in good faith.

If the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China – plus Germany show “goodwill” and adopt a “constructive approach” toward Iran's nuclear issue, it will be possible to strike a final deal before the November 24th deadline, said Deputy Foreign Minister for European and American Affairs Majid Takht-e-Ravanchi on Wednesday.

Takht-e-Ravanchi, who doubles as an Iranian nuclear negotiator, made the remarks in a meeting with the Czech Republic’s Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek in the Czech capital, Prague.

Iran and the six world powers are in talks to reach a final agreement aimed at resolving the standoff over Tehran’s civilian nuclear work.

The two sides signed a historic interim deal in Geneva last November. The agreement entered into force on January 20 and expired six months later. In July, Tehran and the six states agreed to extend their negotiations until November 24 in a bid to work out a final accord.

The next round of talks between Iran and the six countries will be held in New York later this month.

Takht-e-Ravanchi further said that during the talks with Czech authorities both sides agreed to tap into their existing potential to expand bilateral cooperation in various economic, cultural and political sectors.

More than 20 Czech business companies reportedly plan to visit Iran in mid-September to explore investment opportunities in the Islamic Republic.

The Czech foreign minister, for his part, pointed to his country’s historical relations with Iran and called for the promotion of ties between the two countries.