Russia's foreign minister has said
prospects of a preliminary agreement on Iran's nuclear programme are
"very good" on the final day of negotiations.
Sergei Lavrov said he was rejoining the talks in Switzerland on Tuesday, suggesting they were close to a deal.
Marathon negotiations between Iran and foreign ministers from six world powers are nearing a self-imposed deadline.
Ministers want to restrict Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for relief from crippling sanctions.
Correspondents say difficulties remain, despite statements from officials saying definite progress had been made.
Mr
Lavrov announcement that he was rejoining negotiations followed a
statement, as he left the talks on Monday, that he would only return if
there was a realistic chance of securing an agreement.
"I believe that the prospects are very good and promising," he told a news conference on Tuesday.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said talks on Monday had produced "a little more light".
But he said: "There are still some tricky issues. Everyone knows the meaning of tomorrow."
Iran
insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, but world
powers are worried about the country developing nuclear weapons.
They want to keep Iran at least one year away from being able to produce enough fuel for a single weapon.
The
final hours of negotiation in Lausanne are taking place between foreign
ministers from the so-called P5+1 - comprising the US, UK, France,
China, Russia and Germany - and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad
Zarif. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini is also present.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday that the
"marathon-like" negotiations had entered the final stage and that he was
"cautiously optimistic".
The differences between the parties were narrowing, he said.
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