Iranian Foreign Minister Says Final Nuclear Deal Possible By July

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said a final deal between Iran and world powers was possible within six months.

Zarif said on February 3 at the German Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin that such a deal could be done even earlier.

Under an interim agreement between Tehran and the so-called P5+1 countries -- France, Britain, the United States, Russia, China, and Germany -- a 12-month deadline exists for an agreement.

The next round of talks between Iran and the six powers is slated for February 18.

The interim accord reached in November curbs uranium enrichment in Iran and opens up nuclear facilities to inspectors.

U.S. officials confirmed on February 3 that Iran has received $550 million in previously frozen funds -- the first tranche from a total of $4.2 billion that Tehran will receive as part of the deal.


Based on reporting by Interfax and AP