Iran gauging West resolve on settling N-issue

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran is gauging how resolute the group of six major world powers are in finding a solution to the impasse over Iran’s nuclear energy program.

“We are gauging the seriousness of the Western governments and their representatives about finding a solution acceptable to both sides,” the top Iranian diplomat told IRNA in Paris.

Zarif arrived in the French capital on Tuesday to attend the 37th session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The Iranian foreign minister will leave Paris for Geneva on Wednesday to participate in the next round of negotiations between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council — the United States, China, Russia, France and Britain — plus Germany set to begin on November 7.

Zarif added that Tehran expects the six powers to attend the talks with an open mind.

“This means that they [should] attend the talks with the aim of arriving at a solution, in such a case we can seriously move towards resolving the crisis,” the top diplomat said.

He added that the six powers should win the trust of the Iranian nation as the people distrust the policies adopted by some of those states.

Also in an interview with France 24 TV on Tuesday, Zarif said a deal could be reached during the negotiations.

“I believe it is even possible to reach that agreement this week, but I can only talk for our side, I cannot talk for the other side,” Zarif noted.

Iran and the six world powers wrapped up two days of nuclear talks in Geneva on October 16.

The US, Israel, and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.

Iran rejects the allegation, arguing that as a committed signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it has the right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.