Uranium enrichment Iran’s red line: Araqchi

Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, Abbas Araqchi, says the Islamic Republic considers uranium enrichment as a “red line” in its peaceful nuclear activities.

“The suspension of uranium enrichment, as I have frequently said, is a redline for Iran,” Araqchi noted during a press conference in the Swiss city of Geneva on Thursday, adding, “Enrichment is important for us and it will definitely continue.”

Araqchi, who is the Iranian deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, made the comments following the first round of the two-day nuclear talks between Iran and the six major world powers — the US, Britain, Russia, China, France and Germany — in Geneva.

According to Araqchi, the Iranian delegation is scheduled to hold separate meetings with the member states of the group of six countries in addition to the plenary talks.

“We will have four meetings for the talks. One with the three European countries and three separate sessions with the remaining three countries that are Russia, China and the US,” said the Iranian diplomat.

Earlier in the day, the first round of nuclear discussions between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany came to an end in Geneva.

Ahead of the first session of nuclear talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held a breakfast meeting with EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, who represents the six countries in the nuclear negotiations with Tehran.

Ashton’s spokesman, Michael Mann, described the Thursday morning meeting as a “good opening session.”

Zarif also said that it is “possible” for Tehran and the six powers to reach a deal over Iran’s nuclear issue during the ongoing talks in Geneva, if all sides do their best.