DHAKA: Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif voiced optimism after talks with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton that a dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program can be resolved by a November 24 deadline.

‘I am quite optimistic after discussions with Lady Ashton that we can in fact resolve this issue in time,’ Zarif said after what he described as ‘good’ talks with Ashton.

‘I hope with the readiness and political will that I see in all parties to this discussion to have a resolution within the next three months,’ he told a news conference following separate talks with Belgian foreign minister Didier Reynders, The Jerusalem Post publishes this report on Tuesday.

However, he cautioned that reaching an agreement ‘requires political will, it requires full awareness of the need to address the issues rather than simply domestic constituencies’.

Iran and global powers are working to strike a comprehensive agreement by the November 24 deadline, under which Iran would curb its nuclear activities in exchange for an easing of economic sanctions that have crippled its economy.

BDST: 1318 HRS, SEP 01, 2014