Iran seeks ‘constructive’ EU stance in nuke talks

Foreign Ministry spokesman says Tehran’s nuclear negotiator hopes to restart dialogue with the US and other world powers

14 May 2013, 5:15 pm 1

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EU Foreign Policy chief Catherine Ashton, left, speaks with Iran's former chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili during May 2012 talks in Baghdad (photo credit: Hadi Mizban/AP)

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman says Tehran’s nuclear negotiator is seeking a “constructive” response from the European Union’s top diplomat in upcoming talks aimed at possibly restarting wider dialogue with the US and other world powers.

Wednesday’s meeting in Istanbul comes more than a month after the last round between Iran and the six powers ended in stalemate.

Spokesman Abbas Araghchi told reporters Tuesday he hopes EU’s foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, will take a “positive” view in talks with Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili.

Araghchi gave no further details. In the past, Iran’s demands have included recognition of its “right” to enrich uranium.

The West and its allies fear Iran’s nuclear program could lead to atomic weapons. Iran says it only seeks nuclear capabilities for energy and medical applications.