Iran talks in endgame inching close to nuclear deal

Vienna

After months of intense negotiations, global powers and Iran go into a key weekend of talks Saturday amid signs they may be inching towards a historic nuclear deal to end a 13-year standoff.

While Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned there was still "no guarantee" of success, he said the world had "never been closer" to reaching an accord with his country. In a rare move, Zarif offered the promise of greater cooperation to tackle other global problems, such as the rise of the Islamic State group, should the deal be sealed.

Global powers are trying to draw the curtain on almost two years of negotiations, which gathered fresh impetus after President Hassan Rouhani took power in late 2013. The aim is to finalise a deal which would put a nuclear bomb beyond Iran's reach, in return for lifting a web of biting international sanctions slapped on the Islamic republic.

Speaking in English from the balcony of the Viennese hotel hosting the talks, Zarif said in a message posted on YouTube that at "this 11th hour, despite some differences that remain, we have never been closer to a lasting outcome". "Getting to yes requires the courage to compromise, the self-confidence to be flexible, the maturity to be reasonable," he said.

But he added that Iran was ready to strike "a balanced and good deal" which could "open new horizons to address important common challenges". "Our common threat today is the growing menace of violent extremism and outright barbarism," he said in a clear reference to the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group that has overrun parts of Syria and Iraq.

As Zarif met US Secretary of State John Kerry for fresh talks Friday, the top US diplomat praised "the genuine effort" being made by all sides and insisted progress had been made despite "tough issues".