Iran team optimistic about nuclear deal

“We as diplomats are hopeful and have the necessary determination, seriousness and instructions to make the negotiations come to fruition,” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi told ISNA on Wednesday.

The Iranian official said that Iran and the P5+1 group could reach a comprehensive deal if “the Iranian nation’s nuclear rights are consolidated and respected.”

He went on to say the final deal would have a specified time frame, adding that this fact has been mentioned in the Geneva interim deal reached between the two sides last November.

“Should we accept certain limitations for the sake of confidence-building, that will be for a certain, temporary period of time,” said the negotiator.

Representatives from Iran and the six world powers – the US, the UK, France, China, Russia and Germany – are currently in Austria’s Vienna to strike a comprehensive nuclear deal over Iran’s nuclear energy program.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has described the current round of talks as a unique opportunity to make history.

Iran and the six countries have been discussing ways to iron out their differences to achieve a final deal that would end the decade-old dispute over Tehran’s nuclear energy program.

The two sides inked an interim accord in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 23, 2013. Under the deal, the six countries agreed to provide Iran with some sanctions relief in exchange for Tehran agreeing to limit certain aspects of its nuclear activities during a six-month period. The deal expires on July 20 but can be extended depending on the agreement of all parties involved.