Russia Hopes for Consensus on Iranian Nuclear Program: Foreign Ministry

The Russian Foreign Ministry hopes the parties will achieve the most successful result during the Iranian nuclear program talks in Vienna.

MOSCOW, November 24 (Sputnik) — Russia hopes that the parties participating in the Vienna talks on Iran's nuclear program will reach a timely consensus, Konstantin Alexeyev, deputy head of the Second Asia Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday.

"Of course, we understand that this is not an easy road and the negotiation process is quite difficult, but we still hope that this decision will be made. And now, as you know, a very important round of these talks is taking place, and we hope that all negotiating parties reach consensus, and that this problem, for the gratification of all parties, can finally be removed," Alexeyev said at a conference in Moscow.

The final round of talks on the Iranian nuclear program between Tehran and the P5+1 group of international negotiators, which comprises Russia, the United States, United Kingdom, France, China and Germany, began in Vienna on Tuesday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Vienna on Sunday evening and has held talks with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Iran's nuclear program has long been a matter of concern for the international community, with the West accusing Tehran of developing a nuclear weapon under the guise of civilian activities, though Iranian authorities have denied the claims.

During talks in Geneva in November 2013, the P5+1 group agreed to reach a deal with Iranian authorities guaranteeing the peaceful nature of its nuclear program by July. The deadline for an agreement was later extended to November 24.