Iran says ready for resumption of talks

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

1389/12/08
02-27-2011
09:45:27
News Code :8912-04702

TEHRAN (ISNA)-Iran is ready for resumption of talks with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, said Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi.

"We have always said that we are ready for dialogue with the P5-plus-1 to settle the issue," he said in a meeting with Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister in Tehran on Saturday.

As to Iran-US ties, Salehi highlighted the US contradictory approach and said, "they (the US officials) are not honest in their words and actions. They should fundamentally change their approach towards Iran, if they seek talks and relations with the country."

Outlining nuclear program, Iranian chief diplomat criticized the US position on the issue.

"Western states chose to behave badly in response to positive measures and constructive cooperation of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). But they are pursuing a different approach towards Zionist regime which holds nuclear weapons, violates Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and is not answerable to any authority," Salehi added.

Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister highlighted Iran's right for peaceful use of nuclear energy and said, "Japan is the only country which has experienced destructive effects of nuclear weapons and that nuclear disarmament is a popular demand in the country."

He also expressed hope bilateral political, economic and cultural relations would continue.

Iran is under four sets of the UN Security Council sanctions over its refusal to halt civilian enrichment work.

The West accuses Iran of producing nuclear weapons, Tehran denies the allegations insisting it is only seeking to meet the energy needs of its population.

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