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DISCUSSION1 - Iran ready for nuclear talks without preconditions: TV

Released on 2012-10-19 08:00 GMT

Email-ID 980586
Date 2009-08-18 13:20:06
the pressure Iran is facing currently, it doesn't surprise me that they're talking about talks now. It could be simply a way for them to deflect pressure, neutralize the September deadline and buy more time. Is Soltanieh's announcement reflective of a consensus within the regime over this?

Iran ready for nuclear talks without preconditions: TV
Tue Aug 18, 2009 4:07am EDT

TEHRAN (Reuters) - A senior Iranian official said Tehran was ready for
talks with the West on its disputed nuclear program based on mutual
respect and without preconditions, state television reported on

U.S. President Barack Obama has given Iran until September to take up
a six-power offer of talks on trade benefits if it shelves sensitive
nuclear enrichment, or face harsher sanctions.

"Talks without preconditions is Iran's main stance in negotiations on
the nuclear issue," Iran's envoy to the U.N. nuclear agency watchdog,
Ali Asghar Soltanieh, was quoted as saying by state television.

"Soltanieh announced Iran's readiness to take part in any negotiations
with the West based on mutual respect," state television said:
Iranian officials have made similar statements in the past. But
political turmoil in the Islamic state following its disputed June
presidential election appeared to have dimmed prospects for dialogue
on the nuclear row.

The West suspects Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons. Iran, the
world's fifth-largest oil exporter, says its program is aimed at
peaceful power generation and has ruled out suspending or freezing its
nuclear activities.

Richard Balmforth)


Chris Farnham
Beijing Correspondent , STRATFOR
China Mobile: (86) 1581 1579142