The Western countries should choose between the reality and the illusion, a senior Iranian diplomat said looking with optimism at the nuclear energy talks.
�MOSCOW (Sputnik)�� Tehran is optimistic about�the progress of�talks with�P5+1 international mediators on�Iranian nuclear program and expects the West to�assume a realistic approach to�the proposed comprehensive nuclear agreement, a senior Iranian diplomat said Wednesday.


"The ball is now on�the other side. The Western countries must take realistic decisions on�this issue [preparation of�nuclear deal]," Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for�Arab-African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian told reporters following�a meeting with�Russian lawmakers in�Moscow.

Abdollahian said the Iranian side had an optimistic outlook on�the result and the progress of�the talks.

"The decision is not that difficult. They must simply choose between�the reality and the illusion," the diplomat said, adding that the date for�the next round�of nuclear talks at�the ministerial level had not been determined yet.

The talks between�Iran and the P5+1 group, comprising Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, France and Germany, have been taking place for�more than�a year. The negotiating parties aim to�guarantee a peaceful nature of�Tehran's nuclear program.

Tehran and the international mediators are expected to�reach a political framework agreement on�the nuclear issue in�March, and a long-term comprehensive deal by�July.

On March 21, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the negotiators had resolved some major issues that blocked a deal on�Iran's nuclear activities, with�Tehran willing to�continue the negotiations.

The next round�of talks is set to�kick off�on March 26 in�the city of�Lausanne, Switzerland.


By�Sputnik�News