AFP: Iran is ready for talks with world powers “in the near future” on its nuclear drive, foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters on Tuesday.
TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran is ready for talks with world powers “in the near future” on its nuclear drive, foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters on Tuesday.
“Regarding the talks with 5+1, the president (Mahmoud Ahmadinejad) has given frank views, and in principle we are ready for it,” he said, in reference to talks between Iran and the group composed of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (the US, Britain, France, Russia and China) plus Germany.
“We hope that, with a right approach towards acknowledging the Islamic republic’s rights in engaging in peaceful (nuclear) activities, we will have talks in the near future,” Mehmanparast added.
The six powers met with Iran in Geneva in October 2009 and agreed on a nuclear fuel swap deal.
But the agreement has since stalled and in June the UN Security Council approved a fourth round of sanctions against the Islamic republic, which in turn said it would suspend talks until September.
Tehran says it is pursuing a civilian energy program, but Western powers widely suspect it is seeking nuclear weapons.
During a meeting with Ahmadinejad on Sunday, UN chief Ban Ki-moon expressed “hope that Iran will engage constructively in negotiations” with international powers on the nuclear showdown.
Ahmadinejad, who is in New York to attend the UN General Assembly meeting, told media there that his country was ready to resume talks with world powers over its nuclear programme.
