Russia sees 'progress' in Iran nuclear talks, expects deal

MOSCOW: Moscow said on Thursday there were signs of progress at talks between world powers and Tehran on Iran's nuclear programme and that it expected to reach a compromise before a deadline later this month.

"The discussions are quite difficult, but there are clear signs of progress," foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said of the negotiations under way in Vienna.

"We expect to achieve a final text of the agreement before the set deadline of July 20," he told reporters.

The talks are aimed at reaching a potentially historic accord under which Tehran would reduce the scope of its nuclear drive and in return see biting Western sanctions eased.