Iran voices optimism about final nuclear deal

TEHRAN - Reaching a comprehensive agreement on Iran's nuclear issue is likely before the Nov 24 deadline, Press TV reported on Wednesday quoting Iran's senior nuclear negotiator, Abbas Araqchi.

"We are trying our best and we are hopeful and we are optimistic" about achieving a deal before the deadline on Nov 24, Araqchi said.

Both Iran and the P5+1 group, including five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany "are serious to come to a deal by the deadline," he added.

Iran has ideas for every existing problem and the ideas address all concerns, he said, adding that "We think we are able to achieve our goal and the goal is to ensure that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively peaceful and will remain exclusively peaceful."

He drew on the recent US sanctions against Iran, saying that the imposition of sanctions was inconsistent with the Geneva nuclear agreement by which both sides decided to take steps in goodwill to provide a good atmosphere for the final negotiations.

Last week, the United States imposed sanctions on a number of Iranian individuals and entities while pledging continued work toward a comprehensive solution to the Islamic republic's controversial nuclear program.

The US Treasury Department targeted the networks for their alleged support to Iran's missile and nuclear programs as well as terrorism and for helping Tehran evade the existing sanctions.

Iran and the P5+1 group agreed on July 19 to extend their talks until Nov 24 as disagreements remained over Tehran's uranium enrichment capacity and other issues.