"The nuclear negotiations are really very important. The path of the (Iranian) government and the Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany) is a rational path and we hope that they can reach an understanding through serious talks," Larijani said, addressing the inauguration ceremony of the 20th international press and news agencies exhibition in Tehran on Saturday.
"Some progress has been made in the nuclear negotiations and the thoughts of both sides have come closer to each other; the present chance is a good opportunity for resolving this problem, and I think that the settlement of this issue can affect the regional developments," he added.
Elsewhere, Larijani underscored the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program, and said the Fatwa (religious decree) issued by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei against the production and use of the nuclear weapons is a confidence-building measure and bears much value for the world powers.
"His Fatwa is more important than any type of lawmaking," he added.
On February 22, 2012, Ayatollah Khamenei said the Islamic Republic considers the pursuit and possession of nuclear weapons "a grave sin" from every logical, religious and theoretical standpoint.
Former Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast said in 2013 that Ayatollah Khamenei's Fatwa is binding for Iran, adding, "There is nothing more important in defining the framework for our nuclear activities than the Leader's fatwa."
