GENEVA -- An Iranian negotiator has expressed hope that a political agreement on Tehran's nuclear program can be reached with global powers before a March deadline.
The official told reporters in Geneva on January 15 that, despite differences over the technical and political aspects of a deal, as well as differences about sanctions, Tehran is "very hopeful that we can get that political agreement even before the March deadline."
He spoke on condition of anonymity during a break in U.S.-Iranian bilateral talks in Geneva ahead of broader negotiations between Iran and six world powers scheduled to begin there on January 18.
After missing a deadline for a deal last year, the parties set a new deadline of March 1 to reach a framework agreement and June 30 to reach a permanent nuclear deal.
The negotiations aim to limit Iran's uranium-enrichment activity and ensure Tehran is not producing nuclear weapons in return for the lifting of economic sanctions.