IranWest AsiaWorld News

Iran enters talks on equal footing

Iran’s envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says Iran will enter multifaceted talks with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5+1) on equal footing.

“Talks should be held in an atmosphere based on mutual respect and the most important issue is that the sides which will hold the negotiations should enjoy equal rights,” Ali Asghar Soltanieh told IRNA on Sunday as Iran and the P5+1 — Russia, China, France, Britain and the US plus Germany — prepare to hold comprehensive talks in Istanbul, Turkey, on January 21 and 22.

The Iranian official added that in talks, Iran regards itself as a country with the same power as other countries, including the nuclear negotiating sides.

“However, the difference is that Iran has no nuclear weapons and is completely against them,” he added.

Soltanieh once again emphasized that the Islamic Republic would hold talks without any preconditions, saying, “We have always called for talks … because based on the Islamic culture, the Islamic Republic believes that international issues should be resolved through talks and mutual respect and not in the scene of war.”

He criticized the “confrontation policy” by certain countries and noted that Tehran has always pursued rationale and invited all to negotiations.

Soltanieh said that the atmosphere and the basis of talks are very important, adding, “Iran will sit at the negotiating table only when there is no precondition. This is a principle for Iran.”

During the last round of multifaceted talks between Iran and the P5+1, held in the Swiss city of Geneva on December 6-7, the sides agreed to continue negotiations in Turkey in late January.

The comprehensive talks were held between Iran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who represents the P5+1.

On Tuesday, Soltanieh called on the West to seize the “historic” opportunity of the upcoming talks with Tehran and turn to the negotiating table.

“Time is moving against the negotiating side. They should use the chance at the earliest,” he said.

Back to top button