There’s ‘real chance’ to end nuclear row, Putin tells Rouhani

TEHRAN,Nov.19(MNA) – Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Monday that there was a “real chance” to resolve the standoff over Tehran’s nuclear program, Reuters reported. According to the report, the Kremlin said Putin and Rouhani had spoken by telephone at the Russian leader’s request, two days before negotiators from Iran and six global powers hold their next talks. “...In the context of the Iranian nuclear program, V.V. Putin underlined that at the moment a real chance has appeared to find a solution to this long-running problem,” the statement said. It quoted Rouhani as saying that he approved of Russia’s contribution to the talks on Iran’s nuclear program. According to a report posted on the Iranian presidential media office, Rouhani said an “excessive demand” from Iran could create problems in the effort for a win-win deal. Putin’s upbeat comments followed remarks in which a senior U.S. official said it was possible a deal could be reached when negotiators meet in Geneva from November 20, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also voiced optimism. The six powers - Russia, China, the United States, Britain, France and Germany - hope the talks can produce an agreement that would be the first step towards a comprehensive deal to help end Iran’s nuclear issue. Putin and Rouhani also discussed the conflict in Syria and expressed support for efforts to convene an international peace conference, the Kremlin said.