Kerry will visit Israel to discuss Iran nuclear issue_美文

Kerry will visit Israel to discuss Iran nuclear issue

Global powers and Iran are close to a preliminary deal to rein in Teheran's nuclear program and should not pass up a "very good chance" to clinch it, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in remarks broadcast on Saturday.

His upbeat comments in a television interview came a day after a senior US official said it was possible a deal could be reached when negotiators meet in Geneva from Nov 20.

Six nations negotiating with Iran hope the talks can produce an agreement that would be the first step toward a comprehensive deal to end a decade-long standoff with Teheran and provide assurances it will not build nuclear weapons.

"Our common impression is that there is a very good chance that must not be passed up, "Lavrov said of a recent discussion with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, when asked whether the Geneva talks could be successful.

"The steps that must be taken to defuse the situation and create conditions for a final resolution of the Iranian nuclear problem are clear to both the six nations and Iran," he said in the interview with Moscow-based TV Tsentr.

"It is a matter of putting this on paper correctly, accurately and in a mutually respectful way."

About the broadcaster:

Lance Crayon is a videographer and editor with China Daily. Since living in Beijing he has worked for China Radio International (CRI) and Global Times. Before moving to China he worked in the film industry in Los Angeles as a talent agent and producer. He has a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington.