Nuclear deal possible if other side is serious: Iranian FM

TEHRAN,June 23(MNA) - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said he is optimistic that the talks with the world powers on Tehran’s nuclear program would bear fruits provided that the other side takes the negotiations seriously. He made the remarks at a joint press conference with his New Zealand counterpart Murray McCully in Tehran on Sunday. Zarif also commented on the outcome of the latest round of talks with the 5+1 groups – the United States, France, Russia, China, Britain, and Germany - in Vienna, saying only the endgame of the negotiations will determine whether the talks have succeeded or failed. “We want nothing more than our rights, we are not making excessive demands, and we are prepared to address the legitimate concerns of (the other side) and achieve a result. We had adopted this policy from the outset of the negotiations,” Zarif stated. “I see very good chances that if the other side enters the negotiations seriously, we will achieve a proper result for both sides, and it is that Iran’s peaceful nuclear program will keep running while the other side will get assured that this program will remain peaceful forever,” he added. Zarif also noted that if the two sides fail to strike a comprehensive deal, both sides, including Iran, will reserve the right to return to their policies adopted prior to the Geneva interim deal. The current process of negotiations between Iran and the major powers is meant to build on the landmark interim nuclear deal they clinched last November in Geneva. Under the Geneva deal, Iran agreed not to expand its nuclear program for six months in exchange for limited sanctions relief. The agreement came into force on January 20. Iran and the major powers have set a July 20 deadline to clinch a long-term nuclear deal. The deadline can be extended by another half year if both sides agree. McCully, for his part, expressed hope that the nuclear negotiations would prove successful and result in the expansion of relations between Tehran and Wellington. He also said despite the huge distance between the two countries, Iran and New Zealand have the potential to increase their economic relations, particularly in agricultural areas, which is now affected by sanctions regime.