Iran Foreign Minister: Nuclear Deal Possible in 6 Months
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Mohammad Zarif said on Monday a final deal with world powers on Tehran's nuclear program is possible within six months if there is good will.
US President Barack Obama used his State of the Union address last week to veto any legislation that threatens the talks with Iran. US senators including some of Obama's Democrats have co-sponsored a bill that would impose new restrictions on Iran if talks on a permanent accord falter.
But Iran has warned that it will walk away from negotiations - raising the risk of conflict in the Middle East - if the bill becomes law. It is now stalled in the Senate.
"With good will we can reach an agreement within six month," he said in a speech to the German Council on Foreign Relations. "I don't fear a decision in the US Congress ... The US president has promised to veto it."
Zarif was visiting Berlin after meeting US Secretary of State John Kerry and other members of the six powers negotiating with Iran at the annual Munich Security Conference at the weekend, Reuters reported.
Iran reached a landmark preliminary agreement with them in November to halt part of its nuclear activities, winning some relief from sanctions in return. Talks with the six powers about a definitive settlement begin in Vienna on February 18.
