Iran says no nuclear talks before US election
Sara Rajabova
Tehran has no plans to hold talks with the six major world powers of the P5+1 before the US presidential polls, a member of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) said on Wednesday, Press TV reported.
The SNSC official rejected media reports that Iran's chief negotiator Saeed Jalili may hold talks with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton before November 6.
On Tuesday, Ashton said that European officials had met last weekend with aides to Jalili, adding that she plans to meet directly with him soon.
Speaking to reporters in Sarajevo, Ashton said, "We continue to try and find ways to move forward on our negotiations."
Ashton represents the major powers (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) in nuclear talks with Iran.
Jalili and Ashton last met in Istanbul on September 18 in a follow-up to their previous negotiations.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said on Tuesday that if the 5+1 group fully recognizes Iran's right to nuclear enrichment the talks will succeed.
He said the last negotiations held between the sides were transparent.
"Certain suggestions were made, Iran's nuclear negotiating team announced our points of view, and we are waiting for answers," Mehmanparast noted.
He added that the issue could have been easily settled, if the 5+1 group would recognize Iran's nuclear rights.
Iran and the P5+1 group, comprising - Britain, China, France, Russia and the US plus Germany - have held several rounds of multifaceted talks mainly over the Iranian nuclear energy issue.
Also, the member of the of Iran's Parliamentary Commission on Foreign Policy and National Security Ahmad Bakhshayesh said on Tuesday nuclear Iran is strongly ready to negotiate with other countries, IRNA news agency reported.
He said Iran has always been ready to negotiate with world countries and governments with self-esteem and it has never left the negotiating table.
The United States, Israel and some of their allies believe Iran is pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.
Iran argues that as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation treaty and a member of International Atomic Energy Agency it is entitled to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
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