(AFP Photo)
AFP – Iran’s new nuclear chief said Monday that Tehran was “optimistic” about upcoming talks with world powers over the Islamic republic’s atomic programme.
Speaking at the UN atomic agency, Ali Akbar Salehi said the election in June of a new government under President Hassan Rowhani had created a “conducive environment” to resolving the long-running standoff.
“I have come here with a message of my newly elected president to further enhance and expand our ongoing cooperation with the (UN atomic) agency and with the aim to put an end to the so-called Iran nuclear file,” Salehi said.
“We are optimistic about the outcome of the forthcoming five-plus-one meeting should the two parties join the meeting with good intentions and with the resolve of solving the aforementioned issues based on a win-win approach.”
The UN Security Council has passed six resolutions since 2006 calling on Iran to suspend key parts of its nuclear programme because of suspicions that Tehran wants atomic weapons, something it denies.
Rowhani’s election has created hope that after a decade of false starts, a diplomatic solution to the long-running crisis can be found, with a new round of talks with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany expected soon.
