Iranian FM: Final Nuclear Deal Needs World Powers’ Resolve

Local Editor

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed confidence that the world powers can resolve their nuclear standoff with Iran and strike a final deal with the country if they really intend to do so.

"If the other side shows real resolve to settle the problem over Iran's nuclear issue, we can obtain results at the earliest," Zarif said in a meeting with his North Korean counterpart Ri Su-yong in Tehran on Sunday.

He further complained that the West has imposed a set of sanctions against Iran, while the Islamic Republic has never sought to develop military nuclear program and it believes that all countries which possess atomic weapons should be disarmed.

Zarif underscored Tehran's firm stance on pursuing a peaceful nuclear drive, and said, "Yet, no one in Iran accepts to give up the Iranian nation's inalienable right for the sake of the unfair sanctions, while the Islamic Republic of Iran won't allow the western states to display an incorrect image of Iran which is opposed to nuclear weapons."

Elsewhere, he referred to bilateral relations and mutual cooperation between Tehran and Pyongyang, and said, "The Iranian private sector can play a unique role in the expansion and deepening of trade and economic relations between the two countries and guarantee enhancement of ties by active presence in economic cooperation."
His remarks came
 as Iran and the G5+1 are scheduled to resume negotiations over a final deal on Tehran's nuclear program in New York on September 18.
"The official meeting of Iran and G5+1 will be held in New York on Thursday evening," senior Iranian negotiator Seyed Abbas Araqchi announced on Sunday.
Araqchi told reporters Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton would have a working lunch on Wednesday, adding that the two would preside over the multilateral negotiations on Thursday.

"The Iranian team will leave for New York on Tuesday," said the deputy lead negotiator, adding that the Iranian delegation would have bilateral meetings with the G5+1 members on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team