Iranian diplomat: Nuclear deal requires common ground

TEHRAN, Iran — An Iranian nuclear negotiator urged world powers Monday to find a “common position” to achieve a “balanced” final nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic as a deadline for negotiations looms.

Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqhchi, who is a senior member of Iran’s nuclear negotiating team, said Iran saw a lack of coordination among the six-nation group — the US, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany — at the latest round of talks. The US and Iran broke off nuclear negotiations in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Friday for consultations but they are to resume the make-or-break talks Wednesday.

“I believe what is needed more than anything else is coordination among our opposite sides so they can come to a common viewpoint in the talks,” state-run satellite news channel Press TV quoted Araqhchi as saying.

Araqhchi made the comments as Israel sent envoys to France to prevent what Israel considers a “bad deal.” France has been more hawkish than the US at the negotiating table, reportedly demanding more stringent restrictions than other Western delegations.

Paris, which raised last-minute objections to an interim agreement reached with Iran in 2013, could threaten a deal again.

Both Iran and the US have reported substantial progress in the talks but also say gaps still remain. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Saturday a final deal is possible and that “there is nothing that can’t be resolved.”

Iran and the six-nation group hope to reach a rough deal by the end of March and a final, permanent agreement by June 30.

The talks seek a permanent deal to cap Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the easing of economic sanctions.

Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. The West fears it could allow Iran to build an atomic bomb.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.