Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif underlined Tehran's firm stance in defending its right to use peaceful nuclear technology, but meantime stressed that the nuclear impasse between Iran and the West can be settled if the Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) show that they are serious in talks.

"If seriousness and insightfulness exist in the other side, this (nuclear) issue can be solved," Zarif said in a meeting with senior Leader of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) and former Iraqi Vice-President Adel Abdul-Mahdi in Tehran on Monday.

He underlined Tehran's firm stance in defending the nation's nuclear rights, and said, "The Iranian people showed in the recent presidential election how much they believe in their power and might and that they don’t step back from their rights."

"The nuclear know-how and technology has been indigenized in Iran; On this very basis, we are ready for the settlement of this issue while stressing our legal rights," Zarif added.

Iran and the world powers have held several rounds of talks on a range of issues, with the main focus being on Iran’s nuclear energy program.

The two sides wrapped up their latest round of negotiations on April 6 in the Kazakh city of Almaty. An earlier meeting had been held in the city on February 26-27.

The US, Israel and some of their allies claim that Iran is pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program, with Washington and the European Union using the unfounded allegation as a pretext to impose sanctions on Iran.

Tehran strongly rejects the groundless claim over its nuclear activities, maintaining that as a committed signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it is entitled to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

 

News ID 185289