The Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement expressed optimism about the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the world powers, and said the talks have provided an opportunity for the removal of sanctions against Tehran.
“Despite the difficult course of the negotiating process, a possibility is emerging to satisfy in full all integral rights of Iran as a member state of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, including the right to enrich uranium,” the statement said on Thursday.
The ministry said the nuclear negotiations process between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany has also provided opportunities for the removal of US-led sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
It further urged all countries involved in the nuclear negotiations to show a political will to reach a deal over Iran’s “exclusively peaceful” nuclear energy program.
“We presume all parties in the talks will show political will to reach a final, mutually acceptable agreement that would allow to fully restore the international community's trust in the exclusively peaceful character of Iran's nuclear program,” the statement added.
On July 20, the deadline for reaching a final agreement on Iran's future nuclear activities was postponed by four months—until November 24—to give more time for diplomatic efforts.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton in a joint statement after over two weeks of talks stressed the need for more efforts and time to reach an agreement with the world powers over Tehran's nuclear program.
The two officials who presided the negotiating sides, emphasized at the end of Iran-G5+1 negotiations that they have held different sessions in different forms and in a constructive atmosphere to reach a final comprehensive agreement.
Due to certain differences over some fundamental issues the two sides agreed to extend the Joint Plan of Action by November 24, they added.
The EU said on Monday that Zarif and Ashton will hold talks in Brussels next Monday on Iran's nuclear program.
"I can confirm that Ashton will be meeting the Iranian foreign minister on Sept. 1 here in Brussels on Iran's nuclear program," Ashton's Spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters.