Lavrov: High Chances That Talks on Tehran’s Nuclear Program Will be Successful

MOSCOW- There is a large chance that the ongoing talks between the P5+1 group and Iran on Tehran’s nuclear program will be successful, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday.

“Prospects for this round of talks are not bad, I would even say good. The chances are high,” Lavrov said at a press conference.

Russia’s top diplomat added that the success will be feasible if sides keep aiming for a balance of interests.

“I am really planning to return to Lausanne and take part in the final part of the ministerial meeting of the ‘six’ [world powers],” Lavrov said.

The Russian foreign minister left Lausanne on Monday. A source in Russian delegation told Sputnik that the minister may return Tuesday if the P5+1 group reaches an agreement.

Tuesday is the deadline for reaching a framework agreement ensuring the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program. The envoys of the P5+1 group, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, Russia and Germany, have been negotiating with representatives of Iran since Thursday, March 26.

The P5+1 group are attempting to convince Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment program for more than a decade and decrease the number of centrifuges in the country.

Initially, Tehran insisted on having at least 10,000 centrifuges, but in February agreed to consider a US proposal of cutting the number to 6,500.

Iran and the P5+1 group have held several rounds of talks on Tehran’s nuclear program since November 2013 with limited results. The negotiators are now working towards the July 1 deadline to forge a final agreement.

Sputnik International

H.M