Iran and world powers will hold technical talks "next week" in Vienna ahead of a political meeting to negotiate a comprehensive nuclear deal, a top Iranian negotiator said Sunday.

Iran and the P5+1 group of world powers agreed last week on a timetable and framework for the negotiations for an accord that would allay Western concerns about Iran's nuclear program in return for the lifting of crippling sanctions.

"The issues on the agenda are enrichment [of uranium], the lifting of sanctions and international cooperation on peaceful nuclear energy," said Abbas Araqchi, also a deputy foreign minister.

Cited by the official IRNA news agency, Araqchi said the talks would take place on the sidelines of a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors "next week." Negotiators hope to reach a final accord by July 20.

AFP