Iran hopeful about Baghdad talks: Iranian senior advisor

TEHRAN, May 20 (MNA) – Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader said that there is hope that talks between Tehran and world powers in Baghdad will be successful. Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) held a new round of talks in Istanbul on April 14, breaking a 15-month hiatus in talks, and agreed to meet again in Baghdad on May 23. Velayati, who formerly served as Iran’s foreign minister, said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran, for its part, has decided that the talks would be held within the framework of international regulations and Iran’s rights.” “On the other hand, if the 5+1 member states act in good faith, adhere to international regulations, and have no intention of imposing their illegal views, there is hope for the Baghdad talks,” Velayati told the Mehr News Agency. Velayati went on to say that “the Islamic Republic of Iran will not tolerate any pressure and it decides about its destiny in nuclear issue with full authority.”