A deal could be reached this month between world powers and Iran on curbing the country’s nuclear program if there is the will in Washington and Tehran, a senior Russian diplomat said on Saturday.
In Australia for a meeting of the G20 major and developing economies, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters six world powers and Iran had never been so close to an agreement and it could be reached by a Nov. 24 deadline.
“Therefore, from (Nov.) 18 to 24 there is enough time for such decisions to be taken,” he said.
“But there is no guarantee that these decisions will be taken in those capitals where there are the biggest problems with current solutions, I mean, Washington and Tehran.”
The six powers — Russia, China, the United States, France, Britain and Germany — want to ensure Iran’s nuclear program does not enable it to build nuclear weapons, though Iran says its nuclear work is for civil needs.