Iran FM hopes to finalise nuclear talks today

LAUSANNE: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that he hopes to finalise on Wednesday a framework nuclear agreement with world powers.

"We have accomplished quite a bit but people needed to get some rest and start over early in the morning. I hope that we can finalise the work on Wednesday and hopefully start the process of drafting (a final accord)" by the target date of June 30, Zarif told reporters.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that global powers had reached an agreement in principle on "all key aspects" of the outlines of an Iranian nuclear deal, Russian media reported.

"One can say with relative certainty that we at the minister level have reached an agreement in principle on all key aspects of the final settlement of this issue, which will be put on paper in the coming hours or perhaps within one day," Lavrov said, quoted by Ria Novosti.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, however, left the high-stakes talks in Switzerland seeking a nuclear deal with Iran, but vowed to return if needed.

"Laurent Fabius is returning to Paris to take part in a cabinet meeting. He will return as soon as it is useful," his office told reporters as foreign ministers wrapped up an intensive day of talks.