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New nuclear talks offer for Iran | New nuclear talks offer for Iran |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The six powers co-ordinating policy with Iran over its nuclear ambitions have moved to invite the Iranians for fresh talks on a diplomatic solution. | The six powers co-ordinating policy with Iran over its nuclear ambitions have moved to invite the Iranians for fresh talks on a diplomatic solution. |
The US, Russia, China, France, Germany and Britain announced they would ask EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana to approach Iran with the offer. | The US, Russia, China, France, Germany and Britain announced they would ask EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana to approach Iran with the offer. |
Signalling a policy shift, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US would be a "full participant" in talks. | |
Iran denies it is seeking to build a nuclear weapon. | Iran denies it is seeking to build a nuclear weapon. |
The six countries, made up of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany and known as the E3+3, released a statement calling for co-operation from Iran. | |
In it, they "strongly urge Iran to take advantage of this opportunity to engage seriously with all of us in a spirit of mutual respect". | In it, they "strongly urge Iran to take advantage of this opportunity to engage seriously with all of us in a spirit of mutual respect". |
The six said they would ask Mr Solana to "extend an invitation to the Iranian government" to meet their representatives "so that together we may find a diplomatic solution to this critical issue". | |
No time frame was given for the proposed offer of talks. | No time frame was given for the proposed offer of talks. |
The Obama administration's decision to participate fully in the talks marks a change in policy from President Obama's predecessor, George W Bush. | |
Commenting on the shift, Mrs Clinton said: "Obviously we believe that pursuing very careful engagement on a range of issues that affect our interests and the interests of the world with Iran makes sense." | |
"There is nothing more important than trying to convince Iran to cease its efforts to obtain a nuclear weapon," she told reporters. | |
In its statement, the E3+3 reaffirmed its commitment to a "dual track" strategy, promising economic and political assistance if Iran agreed to international demands to halt enrichment operations, but tighter sanctions if they do not. | |
There is concern that Iran's nuclear programme is a cover to build atomic weapons. | There is concern that Iran's nuclear programme is a cover to build atomic weapons. |
Enriched uranium can be used in nuclear power plants, but can also be used to make the weapons. | Enriched uranium can be used in nuclear power plants, but can also be used to make the weapons. |
But Tehran has always insisted it is developing nuclear power for civilian purposes. | But Tehran has always insisted it is developing nuclear power for civilian purposes. |