Iraq Gov’t Spokesman: Iran-World Powers Talks Reigned by Positive Atmosphere

Iraqi Government Spokesman Ali al-Dabbaq said the multifaceted talks between Iran and the six world powers in Baghdad on Wednesday are dominated by a positive atmosphere.

“The atmosphere of the talks is positive,” Dabbaq told reporters in Baghdad Wednesday evening.

“The Group 5+1 and Iran will have a press conference after holding the evening session,” he added.

Dabbaq also voiced his country’s preparedness to host future rounds of talks between the Islamic Republic and the six world powers.

Iran and the six world powers started closed-door talks at Dar al-Ziafah compound in Baghdad’s al-Khazra (Green) zone at 12:30 local time (0930 GMT). The morning session lasted for 3 hours.

Last month and after more than a year of stalled talks, Iran and the Group 5+1 resumed negotiations in Istanbul and agreed to meet again in Baghdad today.

Iran’s chief negotiator and Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Saeed Jalili leads the Iranian side, while delegations of the world powers are headed by EU foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton.

Jalili is accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister for Asian and Pacific Affairs Abbas Araqchi, SNSC Undersecretary Ali Baqeri, Foreign Ministry Advisor Hamid Reza Asgari and former Head of the Foreign Ministry’s Office for the Political and International Studies Mostafa Dowlatyar.

The 5+1 members are represented at the talks by Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, US Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman, Britain’s former Ambassador to Iran Geoffrey Adams, Director-General for Political and Security Affairs at the French Foreign Ministry Jacque Audibert and German Deputy Foreign Minister Hans-Dieter Lucas.