Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran is ready to conduct purposeful negotiations within a specific timeframe to resolve the impasse over the Iranian nuclear energy program.Zarif made the announcement in a meeting with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on the sidelines of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York City on Monday.
The Iranian foreign minister said the nuclear energy issue can be resolved if the current realities of the Islamic Republic are taken into consideration.
Zarif added that the timeframe of the nuclear negotiations should be determined based on a realistic perspective.
The top Iranian diplomat pointed to the deep mistrust between the [negotiating] sides, and stressed the existence of political will to resolve the nuclear issue.
Confidence-building and allaying concerns are the first main step in that regard, he added.
Zarif, however, emphasized that the legal right of the Iranian nation to peaceful nuclear technology and uranium enrichment cannot be denied.
Following the meeting, Ashton praised the talks with Zarif as good and constructive, adding that, We talked about a number of important issues, but focused on the nuclear issue I was struck by the energy and determination on the part of the minister.
Ashton added that Zarif will join the foreign ministers of China, France, Germany, and Russia and the US secretary of state as well the UK foreign secretary in a meeting, expected to be held on Thursday, to discuss Irans nuclear energy program.
Iran is falsely accused by the United States, the Israeli regime and some of their allies of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.
Tehran categorically rejects the allegation, and says it has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes as a committed member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
By Press TV
The Iran Project is not responsible for the content of quoted articles.
