Iran claims victory in nuclear talks

IRAN: Iran claimed victory Wednesday in renewed talks with world powers over its controversial nuclear programme and vowed to make no concessions in the face of international pressure.

Chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili said the six world powers have accepted Tehran’s conditions for the talks as Iran’s conservative media praised Jalili for his “solid” stance.

“They joined the talks maintaining their own view, but Iran said the talks should continue based on Iran’s conditions. So they have shown serious change,” Jalili said of the talks that resumed this week.

“We frankly asked that talks should be for the sake of cooperation, and they accepted. If they remain committed to this agreement, then the talks have been successful,” he said in an interview carried on state television’s website.

After a 14-month break, the talks on the Islamic republic’s nuclear programme resumed in Geneva this week, with an agreement to meet again in Istanbul at the end of January despite clear differences.

Tehran, Thursday, AFP