Iran's President Says More Nuclear Talks Possible

VOA News 23 January 2011

Photo: AP

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (file)

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says he believes further talks with world powers regarding Tehran's nuclear program are possible.

Mr. Ahmadinejad's comments came Sunday, following two days of negotiations in Turkey that ended without agreement.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said she was disappointed with the outcome of the talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany, a group known as the P5+1.

She said the negotiations in Turkey stalled over Iran's insistence that the United Nations lift its sanctions, a condition the P5+1 has rejected.

Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili said Tehran maintains its rights to nuclear technology, including uranium enrichment.

Iran's state-run media also reported that Jalili said after the meeting that his country was willing to continue dialogue if talks are based on "common logic" and respect of national rights.

Western nations accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear technology in order to make atomic weapons, a charge Tehran denies.