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UN hails 'very constructive' Iran nuclear talks Iran's Rouhani claims full authority to seek nuclear deal
(about 1 hour later)
The UN nuclear agency says it has had "very constructive" talks with Iran, whose new president says he wants a deal over the country's nuclear programme within six months. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says he has "complete authority" to seek a deal over his country's nuclear programme.
Iran's envoy to the International Atomic Agency (IAEA) was quoted as saying that the aim was to reach an agreement "as soon as possible". Describing meetings at the UN this week as a "first step", he said he believed the nuclear issue could be settled "within the not too distant future".
Diplomats earlier spoke of a "significant shift" in Iran's attitude. Mr Rouhani said initial discussions had taken place in an environment that was "quite different" from the past.
The West suspects Iran of seeking to build nuclear arms, which Iran denies. He also asserted that Iran did not seek a nuclear bomb, as Western powers have long suspected.
Herman Nackaerts, deputy director-general of the IAEA, did not give details of Friday's talks. He said the two parties would meet again on 28 October. Mr Rouhani, who is regarded as a moderate and was elected in June, has said he wants to reach a deal over the nuclear issue in three to six months.
He says he is fully empowered by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei to negotiate on the issue.
On Friday, he told a press conference at the UN: "I believe that whatever result we achieve through negotiations my government will have the full backing of all the main branches of power in Iran as well as the support of the people of Iran."
And he said Iran was 100% supportive that a deal should be struck "within a very short period of time".
'Different tone'
Earlier, the UN nuclear agency said it had held "very constructive" talks with Iran.
Herman Nackaerts, deputy director-general of the IAEA, did not give details of Friday's talks, but said the two parties would meet again on 28 October.
"We will start substantial discussions on the way forward to resolving all outstanding issues," Mr Nackaerts said."We will start substantial discussions on the way forward to resolving all outstanding issues," Mr Nackaerts said.
Iranian envoy Reza Najafi also spoke of a "constructive discussion". Reza Najafi, Iran's envoy to the International Atomic Agency (IAEA), was quoted as saying that the aim was to reach an agreement "as soon as possible" and also spoke of a "constructive discussion".
Diplomats have spoken of a "significant shift" in Iran's attitude.
There has been a flurry of meetings over Iran's nuclear programme this week in New York, where the UN General Assembly is holding its annual meeting.There has been a flurry of meetings over Iran's nuclear programme this week in New York, where the UN General Assembly is holding its annual meeting.
On Thursday US Secretary of State John Kerry met his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif - the first such high-level meeting for six years.On Thursday US Secretary of State John Kerry met his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif - the first such high-level meeting for six years.
Mr Kerry said he was struck by the "very different tone", but added that Iran still had questions to answer.Mr Kerry said he was struck by the "very different tone", but added that Iran still had questions to answer.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who is regarded as a moderate and was elected in June, has said he wants to reach a deal over the nuclear issue in three to six months. President Rouhani said this week that he wants "time-bound and results-oriented" talks, and has called for all nuclear powers to get rid of their weapons.
He has said this week that he wants "time-bound and results-oriented" talks, and has called for all nuclear powers to get rid of their weapons.
Mr Rouhani says he is fully empowered by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei to negotiate on the issue.
The US and China have said they expect Iran to respond to an existing offer by the US, Russia, Britain, France, China and Germany, who form a negotiating group known as the P5+1.The US and China have said they expect Iran to respond to an existing offer by the US, Russia, Britain, France, China and Germany, who form a negotiating group known as the P5+1.
The group has asked Iran to halt production and stockpiling of uranium enriched to 20% - a step away from achieving a nuclear weapons capability.The group has asked Iran to halt production and stockpiling of uranium enriched to 20% - a step away from achieving a nuclear weapons capability.
They also demanded Iran shut down the Fordo underground enrichment facility, near Qom.They also demanded Iran shut down the Fordo underground enrichment facility, near Qom.
Substantive talks between Iran and the P5+1 are due to take place on 15 October.Substantive talks between Iran and the P5+1 are due to take place on 15 October.
Iran's key nuclear sitesIran's key nuclear sites
Source: 1155/New Scientist Global SecuritySource: 1155/New Scientist Global Security