Iran's nuclear chief optimistic about deal with powers

Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi expressed the hope that Tehran and the world powers would reach a final nuclear deal, stressing that both sides have no way but interaction.
"No way but interaction and understanding has remained and the two sides should reach an agreement," Salehi said in an interview with Iran-based Arabic-language Al-Alam news channel on Sunday.
"I am optimistic about reaching an agreement since if anything else happens, it will not benefit anyone," he said, adding that if no agreement is reached by the two sides, the world public opinion will know who to blame since Iran has shown utmost flexibility and paved all possible ways to strike a deal with powers.
Salehi also referred to the presence of AEOI representatives in the Iranian negotiating team, and said, "The issues related to (Arak) heavy water (reactor), Fordo, enrichment and sanctions have been raised and generally speaking, I should say that we have come close to each other in many cases and the cases with certain issues have been closed."
His remarks came after the European Union confirmed on Saturday that the representatives of Iran and the Group 5+1(the US, Britain, France, Russia and China plus Germany) would convene again in Geneva on December 17 for a fresh round of nuclear talks.
"The political directors (of the world powers) and Iran will meet again on 17 December 2014 in Geneva for a one-day meeting to continue diplomatic efforts towards reaching a long-term, comprehensive solution," an EU statement said.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi had announced earlier that the next round of the nuclear talks between Tehran and the Group 5+1 would start Geneva on Wednesday.
"The next round of talks between Iran and the G5+1 will be held in the Swiss city of Geneva on December 17," Araqchi said on Thursday.
The 10th and last round of negotiations between Iran and the six world powers was held in Vienna from November 18 to 24.
In July, Tehran and the six countries agreed to extend negotiations until November 24 after they failed to reach an agreement on a number of key issues.