U.S., Russia agree that Iran nuclear deal must be reached 'quickly'

MOSCOW, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke by phone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday regarding the status of Iran's nuclear negotiations.

According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two discussed "issues related to Iran's nuclear program following the latest round of talks between the six international mediators and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Oman on 11 November" and "affirmed the need to quickly reach a comprehensive agreement that would fully normalize the situation surrounding the Iranian nuclear program."

State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki confirmed that Kerry and Lavrov spoke by phone Wednesday "about Iran and the P5+1 negotiations" but did not elaborate on the details of the conversation.

The P5+1 -- the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council (Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States) plus Germany -- have sought concrete assurances from Iran that its nuclear program will remain peaceful and not be used as a weapon.

The group has until the self-imposed Nov. 24 deadline to reach a comprehensive agreement.