Iran hopes for win-win deal as nuke talks enter crucial stage

TEHRAN (Xinhua) - Talks on Iran's nuclear program will resume in a few days after being suspended for the Iranian New Year, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday.

"Final steps are always the hardest in negotiations as both sides have to compromise to reach a win-win outcome," wrote a twitter of Rouhani.

The West should decide on whether to continue to pressure Iran or come to agreement with the country, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said, after talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry came to a suspension on Friday.

Sanctions against Iran and technical aspects of the nuclear program were the hardest parts of the talks. Iran and the United States have managed to bridge some gaps on technical issues but continue to differ on sanctions, according to Zarif's remarks during the talks.

Iran and world powers are striving to clinch a comprehensive agreement on the nuclear issue by the end of June. The United States has been insisting on a political framework agreement before the final deal.

However, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is openly against signing a framework agreement, which he says could be used as a bargain chip against Iran.

Iranians began to celebrate the Nowruz festival on Saturday, which is the New Year's Day and the start of spring in Iranian calendar. National holidays will end on Tuesday but celebrations will last more than a week.