Berlin Reaffirms Need For Diplomatic Solution Of Iran's Nuclear Row

Berlin, Aug 16, IRNA -- Germany remains committed to a diplomatic settlement of Iran's nuclear dispute, foreign ministry spokesman Andreas Peschke told media representatives here Wednesday. "Our goal is a diplomatic solution of the conflict over Iran's atomic program," he said. We want to settle this question on a "diplomatic way," Peschke reiterated. He said although the negotiated path between the West and Iran over its nuclear program was difficult, progress had been made by getting into the details of some of the questions on Iran's nuclear program. Peschke pointed to ongoing expert-level phone contacts to see whether a new round of political talks between the six western powers and Iran could still be possible this month. Tehran has repeatedly said it needs nuclear energy to generate electricity and furthermore would not give up its right to enrich uranium as entitled under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Iran's nuclear program has also been under the full control of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). While the West has intensified pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program, it has closed its eyes to the threat of Israel's secret military nuclear program./end