Iran upbeat on nuclear talks progress

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says progress made in nuclear talks means a final deal could be reached.

"There is nothing that cannot be resolved," although some differences still remained, Iranian state media quoted him as saying.

Six world powers are negotiating a deal with Iran aimed at limiting its nuclear activity, with a late March deadline.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes but world powers fear it has military ambitions.

Rouhani said the current round of talks in Lausanne, Switzerland, "shared points of view emerged in some of the areas where there had been a difference of opinion".

They could become "a foundation for a final agreement", he said, according to state news agency Irna.

Iran has been in talks with the so-called P5+1- the US, UK, France, China and Russia plus Germany - who want it to scale back sensitive nuclear activities to ensure that it cannot develop a nuclear weapon.

In return, the world powers have offered to lift sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy.

Both sides have set themselves deadlines of 31 March for a political framework agreement and 30 June for a final deal.

Speaking earlier in a televised address, Rouhani said the other side had "realised that threats and sanctions are ineffective and the correct approach is to show understanding, agreement and respect towards the Iranian nation".

The United Nations Security Council has adopted six resolutions since 2006 requiring Iran to stop enriching uranium, with sanctions to persuade Iran to comply.

The US and EU have imposed additional sanctions on Iranian oil exports and banks since 2012, hitting Iran's oil revenue badly.