Nuclear accord ‘possible this week’: Iranian FM

PARIS - France 24

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif addresses the media during a news conference in Ankara November 1, 2013. REUTERS photo

A deal to end the standoff between Iran and the international community over its nuclear programme could be reached at talks in Geneva later this week, the country’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told FRANCE 24 on Tuesday.

Zarif also said that Iran could use it its influence to encourage non-Syrian forces fighting in Syria to withdraw from the country.

Speaking to FRANCE 24 in Paris during talks with his French counterpart Laurent Fabius, Zarif said of a possible nuclear accord: “I believe it is possible to reach an agreement during this meeting, but I can only talk for our side, I cannot talk for the other side.” However, Zarif said that a failure to strike a deal in Geneva would not be “a disaster”. 

“I believe we've come very far in the last three rounds [of talks], so we [only] need to make a few more steps,” said the foreign minister.

“We are prepared to make them in Geneva. But if we can't take them in Geneva, we'll take them in the next round.”

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