Iranis considering having its foreign ministry oversee talks with world powers over the countrys nuclear program, a move that may give President Hassan Rohani more sway over the negotiations.Rohani, 64, will name a new team and chief negotiator to conduct talks, Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Araghchi told reporters in Tehran. When asked about reports -- including some in the state-run Mehr news agency -- that the nuclear dossier may fall under the purview of the foreign ministry, Araghchi said the responsibility could be transferred.
Maybe the foreign minister, or anyone else thats deemed adequate could take over, Araghchi told reporters. His comments were translated into English by Press TV, which broadcast the news conference. We are waiting for the presidents decision.
Irans Supreme National Security Council, which reports to Supreme LeaderAyatollah Ali Khamenei, currently leads negotiations and drafts national security polices. National security issues would continue to be formulated by the council and approved by Khamenei even if those conducting the talks change, Araghchi said.
If the responsibility of conducting talks is ceded to the foreign ministry, I am confident that the ministry will have the required skills and will conduct them in a positive manner, Araghchi said.
Rohani, who was inaugurated on Aug. 4, is a proponent of active diplomacy with the West and has pledged to address tensions around Iran nuclear conflict while safeguarding his nations right to having a civilian nuclear program.
Since April 2012, several rounds of nuclear negotiations have failed to bridge a gap between Iran and six powers, made up of the U.S.,Russia,China, the U.K.,FranceandGermany.
By Bloomberg
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