German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier hailed on Thursday the progress in the Iran-P5+1 countries' nuclear talks, saying the two sides have never been closer to a final deal over Tehran's nuclear energy work.

"We have never been so close to a deal as now," Steinmeier told reporters following his meeting with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York on Thursday.

He said however that the final phase of the talks before the end of the November 24 deadline is "probably the most difficult."

There are still "hurdles" to get over in the course of the talks, he said but stressed that a collapse of the current negotiations was "not permissible."

For his part, Rouhani said a nuclear deal between Tehran and the P5+1 group of world powers was possible if the opposite side demonstrated political will toward the conclusion of an agreement.

Moreover, Rouhani underlined the need for the immediate signing of a comprehensive deal but stressed that such a deal should protect Iran's rights without bias and be based on international regulations.

Progress has been made in recent months towards a deal between Iran and negotiators from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - China, Britain, France, Russia and the United States - plus Germany.

Source: Agencies