Iran Nuclear Talks Likely to End Before Sunday - Tehran Envoy

According to Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, the the current P5+1 talks will end before Sunday.

LAUSANNE (Sputnik) — Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that the current round of P5+1 talks with Tehran on Iran's comprehensive nuclear deal will most likely end before Sunday.

The current talks kicked off last Sunday in Lausanne, in Switzerland. Some foreign media outlets earlier reported the possibility of the talks continuing on thorough to March 22.

"I don't think they will continue until Sunday," Araghchi, who is Tehran's top negotiator at the talks told RIA Novosti.

The Iranian delegation insists that the current round should end on Friday.

The Iranian nuclear program has long been a cornerstone in relations of Tehran with the West. While Iran advocates its right for a civilian nuclear program, the West accuses the country of its alleged goal of creating a nuclear weapon.

Since November 2013, Iran and the group of P5+1 negotiators, comprising Russia, the United States, China, the United Kingdom, France and Germany have tried to reach a long-term nuclear deal with Iran.

By March 24, the P5+1 international mediators are expected to reach a political framework agreement, while by July, 2015 a final agreement should be worked out.

Earlier on Thursday, Iran's senior nuclear negotiator Hamid Baeidinejad said that Iran considers a March 24 deadline a flexible term and reaffirmed the state's commitments to reach a comprehensive deal in late June.