Zarif and Ashton are scheduled to review progress of the nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 later on Monday.

Prior to his departure to Istanbul, Iran's Foreign Minister underscored the need to find a compromise solution in the ongoing talks between Iran and the six world powers aimed at discussing an end to a decade-long stand-off over Tehran’s nuclear program.

"There are two ways to resolve differences. One is that one party gives up its rights and totally accepts demands of the other party while, the other way requires both sides to bring their views closer via negotiations to find a compromise solution", he added.

Asked to comment on the recent round of nuclear talks in Vienna which made little progress, Zarif said he did not think that the nuclear talks have failed.

Top diplomats from Iran and the six world powers – known as the P5+1 – met in Vienna a few weeks ago to discuss drafting a final deal. But they failed to do so because of some differences between the two sides.

Zarif said the differences are natural adding that if there were no differences there were no need for negotiations.

Iran’s top diplomat said that an interim deal between Iran and the West struck on November 24, 2013, following hundreds of hours of bilateral and multilateral, official and unofficial talks.

Zarif reiterated that Iran will not cross its redlines during the talks, stressing that the other side should be assured that Iran’s nuclear program would remain peaceful forever.

"In the next round of talks we may be able to remove a number of obstacles or face new obstacles,” Zarif said. He noted that a lot more efforts are needed to reach an agreement.

RA/NJF