Iran Nuclear NewsIran confident over talks on disputed nuclear programme

Iran confident over talks on disputed nuclear programme

-

AFP: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday sounded an upbeat note on talks with Western powers on Tehran's contested nuclear programme, saying they were going in the "right direction."

ANKARA (AFP) — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday sounded an upbeat note on talks with Western powers on Tehran's contested nuclear programme, saying they were going in the "right direction."

"We think that the question of nuclear power is going in the right direction," said Ahmadinejad in an interview given to the television channel CNN Turk, part of the American CNN television network.

"The negotiations are good negotiations and that is going to continue," he added.

"Of course, the negotiations are complex, it's normal… (But) now the negotiations have started and it's good. I do not think that we are going to towards chaos," he said.

Earlier this week, Iran said it had agreed with the EU to continue the talks aimed at resolving the dispute over the country's nuclear programme.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili discussed the issue by phone on Monday.

Solana is acting as the pointman for six major powers that want Iran to accept an incentives package in return for a freeze on uranium enrichment activities: Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States.

The six powers are concerned that Iran's nuclear programme could be a cover for a secret nuclear weapons programme.

Despite the threat of more sanctions however, Tehran has steadfastly refused to suspend its uranium enrichment activities.

They say they are aimed only at producing fuel for nuclear power to meet the needs of a growing population.

European Union nations last week introduced fresh sanctions against Iran.

Meanwhile, Ahmadinejad was due in Istanbul on Thursday for a two-day visit to Turkey where the nuclear programme was expected to be on the agenda.

Israel last week voiced misgivings over Ahmadinejad's visit, saying it was "not the appropriate time" for Turkey, its main regional ally, to host the Iranian president.

"It is not a good idea to give legitimacy" to a leader who has called for the destruction of Israel and denies the Holocaust, said an Israeli diplomat based in Ankara said.

This was particularly so at a time when Western powers are mulling fresh sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear programme, he added.

But Turkey, a NATO member and a candidate for EU membership, argues that its close dialogue both with the West and Tehran could facilitate a peaceful resolution of the international standoff.

Asked about the Turkey's role in the talks, Ahmadinejad said Ankara was not acting as mediator.

But he added that Tehran "appreciates Turkey's efforts to reduce the tensions and establish a constructive dialogue."

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said last month that Ankara was taking on an informal role "of consolidation and facilitation" regarding the talks, at the request of the parties involved.

Latest news

Iran’s Gold Merchants on Strike in Several Cities

Reports and images circulated on social media indicate the expansion of protests and strikes by gold sellers in several...

Intense Rainfall and Floods Damage Dozens of Cities Across Iran

Heavy rainfall has again led to flooding in dozens of cities across Iran, damaging residential homes and agricultural lands....

Iran is the Second Largest Prison for Writers in the World

The 2023 Freedom to Write Index, released by PEN America, shows that Iran continues to be the world’s second-largest...

Iranian Proxies Still Planning Attacks on US Forces

On Thursday, May 2, Avril Haines, the director of the U.S. National Intelligence Agency, told a Senate Armed Services...

Growing Calls for the Terrorist Designation of the IRGC

On Monday, April 29, the Iranian regime’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanani, in a weekly press briefing, claimed that...

Iranian Merchants Facing 60% Decline in Sales Due to Presence of Morality Police

Discontent among merchants due to a 60% decrease in sales attributed to the presence of the morality police, exerting...

Must read

Iraq readies arms case against Iran

Washington Times: Iraq's ambassador to the U.S. said yesterday...

Iran vote will boost nuke work, repression – exiles

Reuters: The election of an ultra-conservative as Iran's next...

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you

Exit mobile version