Sanctions, Arak Reactor Remain Unresolved in Iran-Powers N. Talks

(FNA)- An agreement on the issue of Iran's nuclear program would bolster global security, but unresolved issues, such as the sanctions against Iran and operation of Arak reactor, have stood in the way of cutting a final deal, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov announced.

"Despite the attempts of some circles in the international community to question the appropriateness of this agreement…we believe that the outcome that we currently foresee for these negotiation efforts would definitely strengthen global and regional security," Ryabkov said as he arrived in Geneva for the 11th round of Iran nuclear talks, scheduled for Wednesday, Sputnik reported.

Ryabkov also expressed the hope that there would be no rollback in the negotiations this time, adding, however, that an agreement might not be reached tomorrow or the day after and that many issues, such as sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear activity and the work of the Arak reactor, remain unresolved.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will not visit Vienna unless progress is made in talks over Iranian nuclear program, he went on to say.

The last round of the negotiations between Iran and the six world powers was held in Vienna from November 18 to 24.

Tehran and the six countries agreed to extend negotiations until July 1 after they failed to reach an agreement on a number of key issues.