Iran: Muscat talks pave way for reaching final nuclear deal

The upcoming nuclear talks between Iran and the world's major powers are not likely to result in an agreement, Iran's senior nuclear negotiator Abbas Arachi said Saturday, according to official IRNA news agency.
Asked about the possibility of an agreement in the imminent nuclear talks in Muscat of Oman, Arachi said that "I don't think we will reach an agreement in this round of talks. It is possible that we will need other meeting sessions."
However, reaching a final deal with powers over Iran's nuclear issue is "not difficult" before the Nov. 24 deadline, Araqchi said. "We are serious over a comprehensive nuclear agreement, and we also witness the same seriousness in the other side (the P5+1 group). Both of us are after agreement and it is within reach and not very difficult to clinch."
The so-called P5+1 group of Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States plus Germany "should abandon the illusion" that Iran is after nuclear arms, and they are better to have a "realistic look" at the nuclear program of the Islamic republic, Araqchi was quoted as saying.
If the other party realizes realities and shows goodwill, then reaching a "nuclear deal will be very close," he said.
He expressed optimism that Muscat meeting will provide a chance to end the current status and "open the way" for a final agreement.
"Over one or two subjects, the negotiations have been almost stalled and we haven't succeeded in finding a way out," he said, hoping that this round of talks in Muscat will help reaching an agreement before the Nov. 24 deadline.
Earlier, Araqchi had said that Iran and the world powers will hold another round of sensitive nuclear talks in Muscat of Oman on Nov. 11.
"The talks between Iran and the P5+1 group will be held on Nov. 11 following the trilateral meeting (between Iran's foreign minister, the U. S. secretary of state and the EU foreign policy chief) in Muscat" on Nov. 9-10, Araqchi said.
Araqchi, also an Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, said Saturday that u-turn and going backward in nuclear talks will be detrimental to both sides, according to IRNA.
There is no doubt that nuclear deal will benefit both sides as well as the entire region. The sensitivity of the issue has been understood by both sides, he added.
The Iranian official called the ongoing talks as the opportunity for both side, saying that "We are not allowed to miss this chance."
Iran and the P5+1 group agreed in July to extend the nuclear talks for another four months till Nov. 24, as they could not narrow down significant gaps on core issues during the past six months.
The forthcoming talks in Muscat of Oman are aimed at discussing Iran's nuclear standoff, just two weeks before the Nov. 24 deadline for a comprehensive deal on the controversial nuclear program of the Islamic republic. Iran's uranium enrichment and the anti-Iran sanctions will be the topic of discussions in the meetings.