Iran FM Says People Would Support Fair Nuclear Deal

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Sunday that the majority of his Iranians would support a comprehensive nuclear deal that "respects Iran's rights and the demands of the people."

"That would be the only agreement that myself and President (Hassan) Rouhani will agree (to)," Zarif said during a joint news conference in Tehran with his Austrian counterpart Sebastian Kurz.

When asked whether the Islamic republic's hardliners would be able to derail the nuclear talks, Zarif said: " Iran is not a monolith ... we will have those who will not favor an agreement, but at the end of the day what will count is the view of the majority of the Iranian people."

Kurz said a comprehensive deal would help stabilize the region.

"One should avoid losing this opportunity, because this solution in regards with nuclear talks will lead to stability and security of the whole region ... and it will be helpful (from) the economic viewpoint for the Iranian people," Kurz said.

In November, Iran clinched a deal with world powers under which it froze some nuclear activities in return for limited relief from crippling international sanctions.

Tehran has been engaged in negotiations with the P5+1 -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, plus Germany -- aimed at clinching a lasting accord on its nuclear ambitions.

Western nations and Israel have long suspected Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons capability alongside its civilian program, charges denied by Tehran.

Any final deal with the West may involve Iran slashing its number of centrifuges, changing the design of a new reactor at Arak and giving U.N. inspectors more oversight.

Rouhani's administration has, however, already come under fire from hardliners who say the negotiators have conceded too much.