Updated

Iran's foreign minister says he's confident that his country will be able to forge a final deal on its nuclear program with world powers by July 20.

Mohammad Javad Zarif says an agreement can be reached within the six-month deadline set when Iran agreed to halt its most sensitive uranium enrichment activities in return for an easing of Western sanctions.

Zarif told an audience at the German Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin on Monday that Iran feels even the perception that it is seeking nuclear weapons poses a threat to its security because other powers in the region might want to match such a capability.

The next round of nuclear talks between the two sides will take place in Vienna on Feb. 18.