Iran FM says hesitant over issuance of joint statement on nuclear talks

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said Thursday that he is still uncertain whether a joint statement will be issued at the end of nuclear talks between Iran and world powers Thursday evening, official IRNA news agency reported.

"If the work goes well, a joint statement will be issued," Zarif said. "Of course, we are far from that point."

"Some good progress has been made, but there has been no agreement over the solutions so far," he was quoted as saying. Zarif described the ongoing talks and the topics of discussions as "difficult," but did not elaborate.

Intensive talks resumed on Thursday in Lausanne, Switzerland, two days after missing the March 31 deadline to close a framework agreement, which have plunged into its ninth day. Endit