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Iran aims to reach nuclear deal with world powers by deadline

Iranian and Western officials gathered in Vienna for the last round of talks before a November 24 deadline to reach an accord that would end sanctions in exchange for curbs on Tehran's nuclear program

VIENNA, November 19. /TASS/. Iran hopes to reach agreement with the so-called P5+1 group of world powers (five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) on the country’s nuclear program within the previously set time limits, a source close to Iran’s delegation said on Wednesday.

Senior foreign officials from Iran have already met representatives of Russia, Germany, France and Great Britain, and are preparing for a meeting with US officials.

Iranian and Western officials gathered in Vienna this week for the last round of negotiations before a November 24 deadline to reach an accord that would end sanctions in exchange for curbs on Tehran's nuclear program.

The high-level gathering is one of series of meetings in the final weeks before the deadline expires.

“We aim to reach agreement by the deadline,” the source said. “Everything depends on our partners’ political will. We answer questions from six powers arising in the course of talks.”

“This is quite an intensive process. Proposals and new ideas are being constantly discussed,” the source added.

A source in one of the Western delegations told TASS Iran and the six powers — the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia — had so far not discussed possible extension of the negotiations.

“This issue has not even been a subject of negotiations at bilateral meetings,” the source said. “Negations are focused on technical details and various aspects of a future comprehensive agreement.”

Both sides say they still aim to meet the deadline for a deal, despite doubts among many experts that they can reach an accord that would end a decade-old dispute over Tehran's nuclear program with just a few days remaining.