U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday urged world powers and Iran to show flexibility in nuclear deal negotiations.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday urged world powers and Iran to show flexibility in last-ditch negotiations to reach a deal on addressing concerns over Tehran’s nuclear program, Agence France-Presse reported.

Ban said a deal on Iran’s nuclear capacities would contribute to world peace and security “at a time when global cooperation is needed more than ever.”

The U.N. chief called on all sides “to demonstrate the necessary flexibility, wisdom and determination to bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion that meets the concerns and interests of all sides.”

Also on Thursday, the EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini called on Iran to compromise in the tense talks, saying Tehran must take a “strategic decision” to win a landmark deal.

“This is the time for Iran to take the strategic decision to open the way for a historic and final settlement of the nuclear issue,” Mogherini said.

Russia

Meanwhile, Russia’s chief negotiator told Russian agency RIA Novosti that the talks are being held in a tense atmosphere and getting a deal will be very difficult.

“In the current situation it will be very difficult to get a deal unless there is a new spirit,” Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying.

“The talks are being held in a tense atmosphere,” Ryabkov said.

“Time is passing and there are constant meetings in all formats. Perhaps to resolve the problems as they crop up in the talks the delegations need to receive additional instructions” from capitals, he said.

Iran and six world powers have until Monday to agree a mammoth deal that eases fears once and for all that Iran might develop nuclear weapons under the guise of its civilian program — an ambition it hotly denies having.

The comments came as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was due to meet Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif late Thursday in Vienna ahead of a final round of talks before a Nov. 24 deadline for reaching agreement.

The United States along with Britain, France, China, Russia plus Germany are hoping to reach a historic deal to ensure Tehran is not able to develop a nuclear weapon, a claim Iran has repeatedly denied.

 
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