Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili says his country is not willing to bargain over its nuclear rights in the next round of talks in Turkey.
Jalili says Iran and major world powers only agreed to hold more talks in Istanbul based on cooperation to find “common ground,” and that Iran has no intention of discussing a halt to its nuclear program.
Jalili spoke at a news conference following two days of talks in Geneva with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany, a group known as the P5 + 1.
Ashton said the planned talks at the end of January in would address “core concerns” of the P5 + 1 regarding Iran's atomic ambitions.
“The countries I represent are united in seeking a resolution of the international community's concerns regarding Iran's nuclear programme which is a central purpose of these talks. We recognise Iran's rights but insist that it fulfils its obligations".
Ashton said the talks this week in Geneva, the first with Iran in over a year, were “detailed and substantive".
At his news conference, Jalili said Iran will not discuss halting its nuclear enrichment program.
“During the Istanbul talks will Iran be prepared to discuss halting its nuclear enrichment?''
“I can quickly and seriously respond to that: No".
Many Western countries believe Iran aims to use its uranium enrichment program to build nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies.
Jalili displayed a picture of former nuclear scientist Majid Shahriari as he spoke. The scientist was killed in a November blast that Iran has blamed on the U.S. and Israel. Jalili said the “martyred” scientist managed to train hundreds of others before his death. VOANews
