Iran Warns Ashton of Time Limit for Talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi called on the world powers to return to the negotiating table with Tehran, warning that time is running out.

“Mrs. Ashton has undertaken to contact us; we shouldn’t let the time run out and the Islamic Republic of Iran has always announced readiness for negotiations,” Salehi said on Saturday at the end of his visit to Kazakhstan during which he attended the ‘Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference 2013′ in Almaty city.

He further said Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has announced his country’s preparedness to host the next round of talks between Iran and the Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) in Almaty.

“Mr. Nazarbayev announced his country’s readiness to host the Almaty III meeting to pursue the Almaty I and II talks so that we can start the trend of interactions in Almaty III if the opposite side voices its readiness” Salehi said.

On April 6, Iran and the six world powers wrapped up two days of intensive negotiations in Almaty.

The Iranian team was led by Jalili, who is also the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), and the G5+1’s representatives were presided by Ashton.

Earlier this month, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast described the latest round of talks with the world powers in Kazakhstan as “positive”, and said Tehran is waiting for the opposite side’s response to its proposals.

“The two sides’ comments described as positive the start of straightforward and serious expression of views, and to take a correct step, our officials expressed their views and the Group 5+1 should now respond,” Mehman-Parast said at a weekly press conference in Tehran.

“We are (now) waiting for Mrs. Ashton’s response and her consultations with the G5+1,” he added.