Iran is prepared to return to the negotiating table with the European Union on its nuclear programme under certain conditions, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator said on Tuesday. In reply to a letter from EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton inviting Iran to renewed talks, Saeid Jalili said that the EU should first clarify its position on Israel’s nuclear arsenal, and on the Jewish state’s rejection of the nuclear Non—Proliferation Treaty. Diplomats from the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany — representing the so—called 5+1 group — said after meeting at European Union headquarters in Brussels on Friday that they were still seeking a negotiated solution with Tehran.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said last week his country would be ready to resume nuclear talks in late August, but only if Turkey and Brazil were also involved.
The two countries are the only UN Security Council members which opposed fresh sanctions on Iran, after negotiating a nuclear fuel swap deal for Tehran’s medical reactor.
