During the meeting, which was held in the Russian capital city, Moscow, the two officials comprehensively discussed the situation with regards to Iran’s nuclear energy program and Tehran's upcoming negotiations with the P5+1 group (Britain, China, France, Russia, and the US plus Germany).
The two sides also talked about the International conference on weapons of mass destruction-free zone in the Middle East, which has been postponed to 2013, as well as the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Several important regional and international issues were also among the topics discussed by the two senior officials.
The United States, Israel and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.
Iran argues that as a signatory to Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it is entitled to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
Ryabkov had said on November 21 that there is no alternative to negotiations in resolving the Western dispute over Tehran’s nuclear energy program. He made the remark in Brussels after a meeting of senior diplomats from the P5+1 group in Belgium.
The P5+1 announced following the meeting that "necessary contact" with Iran would be made "in the coming days” for a new round of talks.
Iran and the P5+1 have held several rounds of multifaceted talks mainly over Iran’s nuclear energy program.
Tehran has repeatedly voiced its readiness for negotiations based on mutual respect while maintaining that it will not give up its inalienable rights under any circumstances.
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