<h3 class="post-title subpt">Ahead of the approaching deadline, The Elders call on all parties in the Iran nuclear talks to take the necessary actions for an agreement to be reached.</h3><div class="quoteblock"><div class="quotetext"></div></div><p><strong><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://theelders.org/sites/default/files/2014_11-farsi-press-release-ir… available in</a>&nbsp;<a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://theelders.org/sites/default/files/2014_11-farsi-press-release-ir…;
<p>In advance of the latest deadline on 24 November for a comprehensive agreement on <strong><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.theelders.org/iran">Iran</a></strong&gt;’s nuclear programme, The Elders urge all parties to the negotiations to make the essential compromises necessary for an historic outcome that will make the world a safer place.</p>
<p><strong><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://theelders.org/kofi-annan">Kofi Annan</a></strong>, Chair of The Elders and former UN Secretary-General, said:</p>
<p><em>“Over the past months, the progress that Iran and the six world powers (P5+1) have made on issues that originally seemed insoluble has been remarkable. All sides have shown considerable flexibility to make this progress possible.</em></p>
<p><em>“After so much hard work, it would be a lost opportunity of historic proportions if they could not complete the last uphill stretch on the road to a positive outcome – in the form of a comprehensive agreement on 24 November."</em></p>
<p><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://theelders.org/martti-ahtisaari"><strong>Martti Ahtisaari</strong>,</a> Nobel Peace Laureate and former President of Finland, added:</p>
<p><em>“A nuclear agreement is a first step in the efforts to find solutions to the problems in the Middle East. It will offer an opportunity for positive peaceful developments in regional conflicts.”</em></p>
<p>However, <strong><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://theelders.org/ernesto-zedillo">Ernesto Zedillo</a></strong>, former President of Mexico, warned:</p>
<p><em>“The sanctions regime against Iran will need to be addressed quickly, and with a high sense of responsibility by all concerned. The long-suffering Iranian people and business sector deserve the relief from sanctions that a comprehensive agreement should bring. The sanctions have hurt ordinary people without damaging the interests of those who hold power.</em></p>
<p><em>“At the same time, Iran needs to persist in fulfilling all the commitments it makes to transparency and accountability: with nuclear rights come nuclear responsibilities.”</em></p>
<p>The Elders stress that such a rare opportunity to promote peace and understanding must not be missed.</p>