Asia-Pacific

Iran always ready for nuclear talks with G5+1: FM

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-06-12 20:04

TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said Sunday Iran is always ready for nuclear talks with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (G5+ 1).

"If they (West) are ready (for talks), we are ready," he told Xinhua on the sidelines of the second International Nuclear Disarmament Conference held by Iran.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also noted Tuesday in a press conference in Tehran that Iran is always ready for talks for cooperation and understanding, adding that the West needs to change its approach from confrontation to cooperation with Iran.

The president said Iran would not stop uranium enrichment in exchange for any proposal by the G5+1 countries, and that the Iranian nuclear train "has neither brakes nor the rear gear."

In addition, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said earlier in May that Iran has announced its readiness to talk with the G5+1 countries, and It now depends on the West to announce its readiness to resume the talks.

In January, six world powers wrapped up crucial nuclear talks with Iran in Istanbul but failed to reach any agreement on the Iranian nuclear program.

The second International Nuclear Disarmament Conference kicked off in the Iranian capital of Tehran on Sunday.

The two-day conference brings together delegates from about 40 countries across the world, ambassadors and representatives from international bodies such as the UN.

Last year, Iran hosted the first Nuclear Disarmament Conference with the theme of "Nuclear Energy for All, Nuclear Weapon for None. "