German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has hailed the progress in Iran-P5+1 nuclear talks, saying the two sides have never been closer to a final deal over Tehran’s nuclear energy work

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has hailed the progress in Iran-P5+1 nuclear talks, saying the two sides have never been closer to a final deal over Tehran’s nuclear energy work.

"We have never been so close to a deal as now,” Steinmeier told reporters following his meeting with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York on Thursday.

He, however, said that the final phase of the talks before the end of the November 24 deadline is “probably the most difficult.”

There are still “hurdles” to get over in the course of the talks, he said but stressed that a collapse of the current negotiations was "not permissible."

During the meeting with the top German diplomat, Rouhani said a nuclear deal between Tehran and the P5+1 group of world powers was possible if the opposite side demonstrated political will toward the conclusion of an agreement.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran seeks a win-win agreement for all parties,” he added.

The Iranian president underlined the need for the immediate signing of a comprehensive deal but stressed that such a deal should protect Iran’s rights without bias and be based on international regulations.