Iranian FM Says Nuclear Deal 'Within Reach'

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reportedly has told his Western counterparts that a comprehensive agreement on Tehran’s disputed nuclear program is “within reach,” but warned them to curb their demands on limiting Iran’s nuclear activities in order to guarantee a settlement.
Iran’s Mehr news agency reported on December 24 that Zarif made the remarks in letters he sent to his counterparts in the United States, France, Germany, and Britain.
Those countries, together with Russia and China, form the so-called P5+1 group that is negotiating with Iran on its nuclear program.

The report, which comes ahead of a new round of negotiations in January, quotes Zarif’s letter as saying Tehran “will firmly resist any humiliating illegitimate demands."

The six world powers want a deal that ensures Iran is not secretly developing nuclear weapons in return for a lifting of economic sanctions imposed against Iran.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, and the Mehr news agency