Iran willing to resume nuclear talks with P5+1: lawmaker

Source:Xinhua Published: 2013-1-4 10:01:45

A senior Iranian lawmaker said the Islamic republic is willing to resume nuclear talks with the world powers, semi-official Fars news agency reported Thursday.

Rapporteur of Iranian Majlis (parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Hossien Naqavi-Hosseini, said that since Iran considers having a peaceful nuclear program as its right and can back its claim with legal documents, it is willing to negotiate with the UN Security Council's five permanent members -- the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China -- plus Germany, known as P5+1, to settle the standoff over its nuclear program, according to the report.

However, it seems that the world powers lack the determination to resolve Iran's nuclear issue, he was quoted as saying.

"In the course of the (past) nuclear talks, Iran has had maximum cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA) and the P5+1," he said, adding that Iran "does not see real determination in the P5+1 to resolve the nuclear case."

Iranian officials have said that lifting sanctions is a primary step for the success of Iran's future nuclear talks with the world powers. Iran has also reiterated that its right of nuclear enrichment for civilian ends should be recognized by the world powers.

Iran and the P5+1 have held several rounds of talks over its controversial nuclear program, but no agreement has been reached so far. Both sides are currently in contacts to prepare the grounds for another round of meeting.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator said Wednesday that Tehran welcomes the readiness of the six major world powers to hold constructive talks with the Islamic republic, according to Press TV.

Saeed Jalili, who is in New Delhi on an official visit, added that "just as Iran feels obligated to act within the framework of the IAEA regulations and in line with the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it is adamant on asserting its rights within the same framework."

The United States cannot impose its arbitrary "less-rights-and- more-obligations" model on the Iranian nation on the nuclear issue, Jalili was quoted as saying.

The West has accused Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons under the guise of its civilian nuclear program, a charge Tehran has consistently denied.

Posted in: Mid-East

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