US Says Iran, World Powers May Reach Nuclear Deal Next Week

A senior US official said that world powers and Iran may reach deal during new round of talks over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program next week.

The official told reporters Friday in Washington that it is “quite possible” that the P5+1 – including Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States – will reach a deal with Iran when talks resume in Geneva on November 20.

The senior official said the development is positive but added that it is difficult to assert whether it was a “sign of good faith.”

The official stressed that the US “does not believe that Iran has the right” to enrich uranium, adding that a deal with Tehran will not stipulate anything to that effect.

Should Iran and the P5+1 reach an agreement, relief from sanctions will not amount to more than $15 billion, the official said.

According to a report released by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Thursday, Iran has significantly slowed work on nuclear projects. According to the official, the slowdown was a result of a diplomatic decision by Tehran, and not of technical difficulties.