Iran back at nuke talks, says 'final deal' possible

Vienna

Iran's foreign minister kept his cards close to his chest today as he met with US top diplomat John Kerry for the next stage of marathon nuclear talks, while saying a final deal was possible.

As Iranian minister Mohammad Javad Zarif returned from consultations in Tehran, a deadline of midnight (2200 GMT) for an accord ending a dangerous 13-year standoff over Iran's nuclear ambitions was widely expected to be extended, but only by a few more days.

In what may be a positive sign, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also arrived in Vienna to meet Kerry and Zarif, with German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier due to return to the Austrian capital later in the day, sources said.

After huddling alone with Kerry one-on-one for almost two hours, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said: "I am here to get a final deal and I think we can. 

The two men were then joined by their teams for a broader meeting, with nuclear experts US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Iran's Ali Akbar Salehi, who played a key role in brokering the outlines of a breakthrough accord in April in Lausanne, also around the table.

"The only agreement that the Iranian nation will accept is a just and balanced one (respecting) the national greatness and the rights of the Iranian people," Zarif told Iranian media as he arrived back from a whirlwind one-day trip back to Tehran.