Iran rejects rumors of direct talks with US
Iran did not hold any direct talks with U.S. representatives
during the nuclear negotiations with the P5+1 group in Almaty, an
informed Iranian diplomatic source told ISNA news agency.
Earlier some Iranian media outlets reported referring to foreign
media that the members of Iranian negotiating team in Almaty held
direct talks with the U.S. on the sidelines of the negotiations
with P5+1 group.
The U.S. Department of State spokesman Alan Eyre told Trend news
agency on Thursday that he would not comment on the issue.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said during the
latest Novrooz celebrations that he is not against the direct talks
with the U.S., however added that he's not optimistic about the
outcome.
The negotiations on the nuclear programme between Iran and the
'six' countries (U.S., UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) took
place on April 5-6 in Kazakhstan.
At the end of the negotiations, the EU High Representative for
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, said the
parties have not reached an agreement.
The previous round of negotiations took place on February 26-27 in
Kazakhstan.
The U.S., and other Western countries and Israel suspect Iran of
developing nuclear weapons under the guise of a peaceful nuclear
energy programme. Tehran denies the charges saying its nuclear
programme is for civilian purposes.