TEHRAN, 11 January 2022, (TON): Iran’s foreign minister said “talks between Tehran and world powers to revive a 2015 nuclear accord are approaching a “good agreement” but reaching one soon depends on the other parties.”

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said “the initiatives of the Iranian side and the negotiations that have taken place have put us on the right track.”

State news agency IRNA said “we are close to a good agreement, but to reach this good agreement in the short term, it must be pursued by the other side.”

Negotiations to restore the nuclear deal resumed in late November after they were suspended in June as Iran elected a new, ultraconservative government.

The deal offered Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme.

But then-president Donald Trump withdrew the US in 2018 and derailed the accord, prompting Tehran to begin rolling back on its commitments.

Amir-Abdollahian said the Islamic republic was not looking to “drag out” negotiations.

He said “it is “important for us to defend the rights and interests of our country.”