Nuclear talks:

Iran wants ‘serious intentions’

IRAN: Iran’s foreign minister told his German counterpart that Tehran seeks “serious intentions” from both sides at talks with world powers on its nuclear programme, state media reported on Saturday. The Iranian delegation is going to the May 23 talks in Baghdad with “goodwill and serious intentions,” Ali Akbar Salehi told Germany’s Guido Westerwelle in a telephone call.

“We expect the other side to enter the negotiations with the same spirit and constructive approach so this opportunity is well used,” Salehi added. Iran is due to meet representatives of the so-called P5+1 group, comprising the five UN Security Council permanent members plus Germany, in the Iraqi capital for a second round of talks revived in April after a 15-month hiatus.

President Barack Obama said on Saturday that world powers were “unified when it comes to our approach with Iran.”

Iran’s inability so far to convince the world that its controversial nuclear programme was peaceful was “of grave concern to all of us,” the US president said.

Washington says it is committed to a peaceful resolution to the nuclear crisis but has has warned that all options, including possible military action, are on the table.

Tehran denies Western and Israeli allegations that its nuclear programme may have a military component to develop weapons.

AFP