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Summary Iran has proposed a new round of talks about its nuclear programme with the six world powers.
Iran has proposed a new round of talks about its controversial nuclear programme with the six world powers, the countrys top nuclear negotiator said Saturday.Saeed Jalili said he has formally called on the six powers the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany to return to the negotiating table with Iran.The invitation comes in the wake of new sanctions recently imposed by the West over Tehrans uranium enrichment programme, which is a potential pathway to making nuclear arms.The last round of negotiations between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany in January in Istanbul, Turkey, ended in failure.The US and some of its allies accuse Iran of using its civilian nuclear programme as a cover to develop atomic weapons.Iran has denied the charge, saying the programme is for peaceful purposes only and is geared toward generating electricity and producing medical radioisotopes to treat cancer patients.We formally declared to them (the intent) to return to the path of dialogue for cooperation, Jalili told Iranian diplomats in Tehran, according to the official IRNA news agency. Jalili did not say when or through what channel he issued the invitation.However, Irans ambassador to Germany, Ali Reza Sheikh Attar, said earlier Saturday that Jalili was to send a letter soon to EUs foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton to arrange a new round of talks.There was no immediate comment from Brussels on Jalilis reported offer.But it is the latest signal from Tehran that the country appears to be feeling the toll of international sanctions.
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