Ashton, Jalili to hold conversation on Iran-5+1 talks: spokesman

TEHRAN,July 26(MNA) – A spokesman for European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said on Tuesday that the next step in discussions between Iran and the six major powers over Tehran’s nuclear program will be a conversation between lead negotiators from both sides. “As foreseen in Moscow, the next step is that there will be a conversation between Mrs. Ashton and Jalili,” Michael Mann told reporters after a meeting between negotiators from Iran and the European Union in Istanbul on Tuesday, which was held in an attempt to find common ground for another round of high-level talks between Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany). Catherine Ashton represents the 5+1 group in nuclear negotiations with Iran, and Saeed Jalili, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, is the country’s chief nuclear negotiator. The latest round of high-level talks between Iran and the six major powers was held in Moscow on June 18 and 19.