Deputy FM: US Call For India's Help On Iran, Indicates Washington's Frustration

Tehran, Oct 22, IRNA – Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia-Pacific Affairs Abbas Araqchi said Monday that the US call for India's help on Iran's nuclear issue has indicated Washington’s complete frustration. In his latest visit to India, the US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns called on Indian officials to help bring back Iran to negotiations table. It was the first time that US has openly asked New Delhi to intercede with Tehran. 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) was held in Moscow on June 18 and 19 during which Iran has made some proposals and is presently waiting for the other side's response. "Asking New Delhi to persuade Tehran to sit again for talks with Washington has indicated US failure to respond to Iran's reasonable and constructive proposals," Araqchi told IRNA. Reiterating the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program, Araqchi hoped that the 5+1 response to Iran's proposals could "provide a reasonable and fair solution" to West's problem with Iran's nuclear issue. He added that in his latest visit to India, he had briefed Indian officials on latest developments in Iran’s nuclear talks./end