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Q: How close are we to a nuclear deal with Iran?

A: I think we are moving. We are moving in the right direction. Some 95% maybe of the deal, if you take the paper, which is being negotiated is agreed. But the remaining 5% is where the devil is two or three very difficult issues. Difficult I mean they're resolvable, but difficult from the point of view of making a political decision to compromise on both sides. We together with China, proposed couple of formulations which can be useful. They are not rejected. The consultations, negotiations would continue. We still have couple of months before the date which was targeted, 24th of November. So, I am cautiously optimistic.

Q: Is the fight against ISIL making it more difficult or perhaps easier to get a deal done with Iran?

A: Well, I think it's a different matter. But Iran, of course, should be part of the efforts to fight ISIL because Iran is the strong opponent of these people. And to ignore Iran in this fight and not to invite it for cooperation is a mistake. Just like it is a mistake not to consult with the Syrian government and not to cooperate with it.

And in general, I believe that Iran should be more recognized as a regional player. You can not resolve this Syrian crisis without Iran. You can not resolve many other things in the region without taking into account Iranian interest. When or now initiative with John Kerry, we convened this conference on Syria. Iran was explicitly left out which is not helpful. And I think Americans recognize that some point, better sooner than later this would have to be recognized that Iran should be involved as an equal partner in negotiating the security issues in the region.

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