Eurasia Press & News
Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki called on all the parties involved in his country’s nuclear issue to support the present trend of constructive interaction between the Islamic Republic and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Speaking to reporters during a joint press conference with Kazakh transportation minister here on Tuesday, Mottaki noted the negative propaganda launched by certain members of the Group 5+1 (the permanent UN Security Council members – the US, Britain, France, China and Russia – plus Germany) about an incoming wave of sanctions against Tehran, and advised all the relevant sides to pronounce support for Iran-IAEA constructive talks.
“If Iran’s nuclear issue is to be approached in a constructive manner, this is the best thing they can do,” Mottaki reiterated.
Regarding Iraq, he rejected speculations that the release of two Iranian diplomats from US captivity would accelerate Iran’s positive response to talks with the US over Iraq.
“There is no connection between the release of a number of Iran’s consulate staffers who were under US detention in Iraq, and the US request for the arrangement of a new round of talks between the two countries on Iraq,” the foreign minister said.
Meantime, Mottaki called on the US to immediately release the rest of Iranian detainees and mission staffers.
He also said that his country has accepted to attend a next meeting with the US over Iraq.
Mottaki said that during his recent visit to Baghdad, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maleki informed him of the US demand for a new round of talks and that he told the Iraqi premier that the US should extend its request to Tehran through official channels, i.e. the Swiss embassy.
In absence of diplomatic relations, Swiss embassy represents US interests section in Iran.
“Thus, we accepted to attend the new round of talks with the US for the sake of Iraqi nation and government and in a principled manner,” Mottaki added.
