An Iranian legislator says the forthcoming round of negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group of nations will clarify the intentions of the six major powers.

Member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Zohreh Elahian said on Wednesday the West has recognized the fact that threats and sanctions against the Islamic Republic are not helpful and have in fact “opposite effects.”

The West has no option but to engage in diplomacy with Iran; the Baghdad talks, therefore, would be a litmus test for the P5+1 group - comprising Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany, she pointed out.

The latest round of the talks between Iran and the five members of the P5+1 group was held in the Turkish city of Istanbul on April 14. Both sides hailed the discussions as constructive.

They agreed to hold the next round of talks in Baghdad on May 23, 2012.

"One should wait and see whether it (the P5+1) is after confidence building and positive and constructive interaction or after pushing the talks into a stalemate," Elahian underscored.

The Iranian lawmaker also said Tehran expects the Baghdad talks to be held in the same ambience as in the Istanbul meeting, which would be positive for the continuation of the talks.

Tehran and the P5+1 had previously held two rounds of talks, one in Geneva, Switzerland in December 2010, and another in Istanbul in January 2011.
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News ID 181814