An unnamed Russian source told the state RIA Novosti news agency on Thursday that the next meeting between Iran and the P5+1 - Russia, China, France, Britain, France, the US and Germany -- has been provisionally scheduled for the end of January in Istanbul which hosted the first round of such talks in April 2012.
The source; however, did not name a specific date.
The last round of talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany was held in Moscow in June.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Wednesday that the pause in the talks between Iran and the P5+1 has sent a “wrong signal.”
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.
Russia, a veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council, has repeatedly reaffirmed Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy.
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 Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it is entitled to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
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