Iran ready for nuclear talks with G5+1, but no compromise on nuke programme

Tehran, Apr 13 (ANI): Deputy Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Baqeri, has said his country is ready for the next round of talks with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany (G5+1).

The Xinhua news agency quoted Baqeri as saying that the venue and schedule for talks, including nuclear talks, would be decided later.

He insisted that nuclear activities are crucial for the country and nothing can hinder its nuclear programme, adding that the Islamic republic never sought nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction.

"Iran has always been ready for non-conditional talks ... and Iran's inalienable (nuclear) rights should be recognized," Iran's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali-Asghar Soltanieh said.

"There is also a principle that the space of the talks should be a space for cooperation, not confrontation," he added.

Six world powers had held crucial nuclear talks with Iran in Istanbul in January, but failed to reach any agreement on Iranian nuclear program. (ANI)