Iranian FM Hopes For Nuclear Deal Within 'Reasonable' Time Period

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif answers journalists' question during a joint press conference with his Greek counterpart at the Foreign Ministry in Athens on May 28.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says he hopes Tehran and world powers can reach a final nuclear deal "within a reasonable period of time," but warned against making "excessive demands" of Iran.

Zarif said in Athens on May 28 that "If the other side respects what has been agreed [to] in [Lausanne, Switzerland] and tries to draft, based on mutual respect, a comprehensive agreement with Iran that is sustainable...then we can meet any deadline."

The United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and China reached a tentative framework for a nuclear pact with Iran on April 2 but several issues remain unresolved.

The two sides have set a June 30 deadline to arrive at a comprehensive agreement.

Zarif and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will meet in Geneva on May 30.

France said on May 27 it was prepared to block a final deal with Iran unless Tehran provided UN nuclear inspectors access to all installations, including military bases.

That came after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said last week that no such inspections of Iran's military sites would be allowed.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AP