Russia 's foreign minister said Saturday that a deal with Iran on its nuclear program is close , warning the opportunity to bring about an end to a decade-long standoff must not be passed up . The statements by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov broadcast on Russian TV come just days before negotiators meet in Geneva , Switzerland , to discuss details about Iran 's nuclear program . `` Our common impression is that there is a very good chance now which should not be missed , '' Lavrov said in remarks broadcast on state-run TVC . The assessment , Lavrov said , came out of recent talks with the European Union 's foreign policy chairwoman , Catherine Ashton . That tone was echoed earlier in the week by the United States . The United States and other countries are `` getting close '' to an interim deal with Iran that would prevent its nuclear program `` from advancing , and roll it back '' in key areas , a senior U.S. administration official said Friday . Such a deal would `` extend the breakout time '' that Iran would need to achieve a nuclear weapon and `` shorten the time to notice if they tried , '' the official said on condition of anonymity . The proposed deal covers every aspect of Iran 's nuclear program , including uranium enrichment , uranium stockpiles and all nuclear facilities including military ones , the official said . The deal will be on the table during the next round of talks in Geneva . `` I do n't know if we 'll reach an agreement . I think it is quite possible that we can . But there are still tough issues to negotiate , '' the official said . The United States , along with the four other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany -- the so-called P5+1 -- came close to a deal during talks with Iran last week in Geneva , but the discussions ended with both sides blaming each other for the lack of an agreement . The P5+1 is `` completely and totally unified '' on the current outlines of the proposed deal , the official said . It is widely believed that Iran harbors aspirations to produce nuclear weapons . Repeated findings by U.N. weapons inspectors indicate that the country appeared to be conducting nuclear weapons research . Iran has always maintained that its nuclear program is for purely peaceful purposes . Even though Iran has denied working toward nuclear weapons , it has said it will not submit to any plan that would totally eliminate its nuclear program .
Russian Foreign Minister expresses hope for a compromise with Iran . Proposed deal would cover every aspect of Iran 's nuclear program , U.S. official says . It would also `` extend the breakout time '' Iran would need to achieve a nuclear weapon .