U.S., EU hopeful about new Iran nuclear talks

TEHRAN,Oct.31(MNA) – The U.S. and the European Union say that they hope the promise of new negotiations between Iran and the six major powers could lead to a diplomatic solution ending the nuclear standoff, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday. The latest round of high-level talks between Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) over the country’s nuclear program was held in Moscow on June 18 and 19. Since then representatives of Iran and the European Union have been in contact to pave the way for a new round of high-level talks. According to AP, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who represents the 5+1 group in nuclear negotiations with Iran, said on Tuesday that European officials met last weekend with aides to Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili. She also said she plans to meet directly with Jalili soon. That is seen as a key step in the resumption of talks between Iran and world powers over Tehran’s nuclear program. The West claims that Iran may be trying to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies. Speaking on Tuesday alongside Ashton in Bosnia, Clinton said the diplomatic window of opportunity for Iran wouldn’t stay open forever.