The talks between 5+1 nations and Tehran on the Iranian nuclear program are close to completion, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.

“We exchanged opinions on Iran’s nuclear program, the talks are close to end,” Sputnik quoted Lavrov as saying.

Speaking at a joint news conference with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Moscow, Lavrov said, “We are hoping that the positive outcome [of the Iran nuclear talks] will contribute to our efforts aimed at boosting cooperation in the area of security and stability in the Persian Gulf.”

In an OIC meeting in Kuwait on Wednesday Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also said a deal on Iran’s nuclear program would benefit the entire region.

Iran and mediators from the United States, Britain, Russia, China, France and Germany are expected to clinch a comprehensive nuclear deal by June 30.

Zarif who visiting Athens on Thursday said he hoped Tehran and world powers would reach the final deal “within a reasonable period of time”.

However, he said this would be hard if the other side stuck to “excessive demands”.

“If the other side respects what has been agreed in Lausanne and tries to draft, based on mutual respect, a comprehensive agreement with Iran that is sustainable..., then we can meet any deadline,” Zarif said after meeting his Greek counterpart.


MD/P