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Iran optimistic ahead of N-talks

DUBAI: Iran has said dates for fresh talks with six global powers have not yet been set but has cited some of its expectations from the proposed nuclear dialogue, which could take place next month.

Iran's top representative for nuclear negotiations Saeed Jalili said on Tuesday Tehran had accepted in principle, talks with the five permanent members of the Security Council and Germany (P5+1). However, he added that specific dates for a fresh round of talks were yet to be fixed. Mr. Jalili and European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton have been communicating regarding possible renewal of talks that stalled a year ago. “What we have always announced is that we welcome talks… In the letter I wrote to Ms. Ashton, I explained the atmosphere, the bases, and the topics of the talks,” said Mr. Jalili.

The Iranians have said Ms. Ashton's letter regarding prospects of resuming talks fell short of Tehran's expectations. Deputy head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Abolfazl Zohrevand said “the letter only addresses issues such as where, when and how long the talks should be and does not deal with more important issues such as the framework, aim and direction of the talks”.

On Monday, Iran's atomic chief Ali Akbar Salehi said Tehran was ready to discuss exchanging atomic fuel and its overall nuclear programme in upcoming talks. “We are ready to hold simultaneous talks with the 5+1 and the Vienna group about the fuel swap,” Iran's ISNA news agency quoted Mr. Salehi as saying.  The United States, Russia, France and the International Atomic Energy (IAEA) comprise the Vienna group, which had last year held talks on fuel supplies with Iran for its medical reactor based in Tehran.

On Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said negotiations could yield “fruitful” results if they were held in an atmosphere of “cooperation” rather than confrontation.

Earlier on Sunday, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stressed the six world powers needed to decide whether they wanted to show enmity or seek cooperation with Iran. He also urged the global powers to announce their views on the Israeli nuclear arsenal.

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