Iran and world powers to hold next nuclear talks on November 7-8; Tehran's proposal to the West includes willingness to discuss snap inspections of its nuclear facilities, says Iran state TV; Ashton lauds Iran talks as 'substantive' and 'detailed.'
By Barak Ravid
The talks held between world powers and Iran over the latter's nuclear program in Geneva over the last two days were "the beginning of a new page in our relations with the international community," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said at a press conference with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Wednesday.
Ashton opened the conference by lauding the latest round of negotiations the most "substantive" and "detailed" to date. Zarif echoed these remarks and called the talks a "good beginning" as well as "serious and beneficial," allowing the sides to move forward.
"Our goal is to give confidence about the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program. There is no reason to be worried about it," Zarif said, while reiterating Iran's stance that it would not give up its right to nuclear energy.
Bringing the first round of negotiations to a close with the first joint statement ever released between the two sides, Ashton said the six world powers were carefully considering Iran's proposal to the West and had agreed not to divulge details of the offer. She also said that sanction and nuclear experts of Iran and the powers will meet before the next round of talks, scheduled for November 7 and 8.
With regard to the proposal, Zarif told reporters: "The other side came toward us some of the distance, but they need more time to digest it and respond."
The talks in Geneva marked the first time Iran and the world powers had met since President Hassan Rohani's election.
Questions remained Wednesday over the proposal presented by Iran's foreign minister the day before. At this stage, it appears as though the Iranian proposal includes the willingness to limit uranium enrichment, but also a demand that the world powers recognize Iran's right to enrich uranium on its soil.
Iranian state television reported that Iran discussed limiting uranium enrichment with the world powers and even expressed willingness to discuss signing the "additional protocol" - snap inspections of its nuclear facilities.
"None of these issues exist in the first step, but they are part of our last step," Iran's deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi was quoted as saying by IRNA.
The Iranian deputy foreign minister and his advisers met earlier Wednesday with the negotiating teams of the European Union, the United States, Russia, China, Germany, Britain, and France. A second meeting between the Iranian delegation and the representatives of the six world powers took place on Wednesday afternoon.
On Tuesday evening, following the meeting between the U.S. and Iranian delegations, talks continued at the Intercontinental Hotel. The head of the U.S. negotiating team, Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman, met Araqchi on Tuesday evening. An American official said that the meeting was similar to those held by the Iranians with other delegations.
On Wednesday morning, several reports surfaced regarding the three-staged Iranian proposal to the world powers, due to be enacted within 6-12 months. AP reported that the Iranians are proposing to limit uranium enrichment as well as the number of centrifuges doing the enrichment. The Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported that Iran is prepared to suspend uranium enrichment at 20%, but demands the removal of international sanctions in return.
Iran and the six world powers will hold a follow-up round of nuclear negotiations in a few weeks' time in Geneva, Zarif said in a post on his Facebook account on Wednesday.
Israel, on its part, is continuing to express concern regarding the nuclear talks. Strategic and Intelligence Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz said on Wednesday that "Israel is watching the talks in Geneva with hope and concern."
By Barak Ravid
The talks held between world powers and Iran over the latter's nuclear program in Geneva over the last two days were "the beginning of a new page in our relations with the international community," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said at a press conference with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Wednesday.
Ashton opened the conference by lauding the latest round of negotiations the most "substantive" and "detailed" to date. Zarif echoed these remarks and called the talks a "good beginning" as well as "serious and beneficial," allowing the sides to move forward.
"Our goal is to give confidence about the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program. There is no reason to be worried about it," Zarif said, while reiterating Iran's stance that it would not give up its right to nuclear energy.
Bringing the first round of negotiations to a close with the first joint statement ever released between the two sides, Ashton said the six world powers were carefully considering Iran's proposal to the West and had agreed not to divulge details of the offer. She also said that sanction and nuclear experts of Iran and the powers will meet before the next round of talks, scheduled for November 7 and 8.
With regard to the proposal, Zarif told reporters: "The other side came toward us some of the distance, but they need more time to digest it and respond."
The talks in Geneva marked the first time Iran and the world powers had met since President Hassan Rohani's election.
Questions remained Wednesday over the proposal presented by Iran's foreign minister the day before. At this stage, it appears as though the Iranian proposal includes the willingness to limit uranium enrichment, but also a demand that the world powers recognize Iran's right to enrich uranium on its soil.
Iranian state television reported that Iran discussed limiting uranium enrichment with the world powers and even expressed willingness to discuss signing the "additional protocol" - snap inspections of its nuclear facilities.
"None of these issues exist in the first step, but they are part of our last step," Iran's deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi was quoted as saying by IRNA.
The Iranian deputy foreign minister and his advisers met earlier Wednesday with the negotiating teams of the European Union, the United States, Russia, China, Germany, Britain, and France. A second meeting between the Iranian delegation and the representatives of the six world powers took place on Wednesday afternoon.
On Tuesday evening, following the meeting between the U.S. and Iranian delegations, talks continued at the Intercontinental Hotel. The head of the U.S. negotiating team, Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman, met Araqchi on Tuesday evening. An American official said that the meeting was similar to those held by the Iranians with other delegations.
On Wednesday morning, several reports surfaced regarding the three-staged Iranian proposal to the world powers, due to be enacted within 6-12 months. AP reported that the Iranians are proposing to limit uranium enrichment as well as the number of centrifuges doing the enrichment. The Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported that Iran is prepared to suspend uranium enrichment at 20%, but demands the removal of international sanctions in return.
Iran and the six world powers will hold a follow-up round of nuclear negotiations in a few weeks' time in Geneva, Zarif said in a post on his Facebook account on Wednesday.
Israel, on its part, is continuing to express concern regarding the nuclear talks. Strategic and Intelligence Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz said on Wednesday that "Israel is watching the talks in Geneva with hope and concern."
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