Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Wednesday that months after the negotiations between Tehran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - Russia, China, Britain, France and the United States - plus Germany in Moscow, the sides have so far failed to reach an agreement on the venue or the date of the next round of talks.
"This becomes unclear and sends a wrong signal," the diplomat added and emphasized that the issue should be made clear soon.
Ryabkov stated that during the Christmas holidays, Moscow proceeded with efforts to organize a schedule for Iran-P5+1 talks and expected a clear result as soon as possible.
Iran and the P5+1 have held several rounds of talks with the main focus being on Iran’s nuclear energy program.
On January 4, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili said that Tehran welcomes the readiness of the six major world powers to hold constructive talks with Iran.
“Just as Iran feels obligated to act within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regulations and in line with the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it is adamant on asserting its rights within the same framework,” Jalili stated.
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 the NPT and a member of the IAEA, it is entitled to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
Russia, a veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council, has repeatedly reaffirmed Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy.
"Iran has the right to have peaceful nuclear activity under the complete supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on December 27, 2012.
He noted that the international community should respond to Iran's positive steps and gradually remove the sanctions.
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