VIENNA, November 18 (Sputnik) — "P5+1" international negotiators and Tehran are just half-step away from reaching a permanent agreement over Iranian nuclear program, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Tuesday
"I still believe we are a step, even half-step away from this decision. There are no obstacles except for probably the presence or the lack of political decisions in the capitals of the talks participants," said Sergei Ryabkov, who heads the Russian delegation at the talks.
No Progress Made Over Iranian Nuclear Program Since Oman Round
No progress has been made in the talks over Iran's nuclear program since the last round of talks last week in Oman, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Tuesday upon arrival in Vienna.
"Since the Oman round [of talks] nothing has changed on the essence. Sanctions, [uranium] enrichment, Arak, transparency, former military research — all that remains," Ryabkov said.
"No shift has been made in the week," he added.
Western countries and Israel accuse Iran of attempting to develop a nuclear weapon under the guise of a civilian nuclear program, while Tehran argues that its nuclear development is aimed purely at meeting the country's growing energy needs and achieving other peaceful goals.
In November 2013, during talks held in Geneva, the P5+1 group of international mediators comprising Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, and Germany agreed to reach a deal with the Tehran delegation, guaranteeing the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program by July 2014. The deadline for the agreement was later postponed to November 24, 2014.
On Tuesday, the sides started a final round of talks on Iran's nuclear program in Vienna, Austria.
