Salehi: Istanbul Talks, Starting Point To End Nuclear Dispute

Tehran, April 18, IRNA – Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said Tuesday that the Istanbul talks on April 14 might be considered as a beginning to ending disputes on Iran’s peaceful nuclear program. Salehi made the remark in a meeting with a number of visiting Egyptian figures, elite and media members. The nuclear talks between Iran and the Group 5+1 in Istanbul proved that the West is unable to exert political and economic pressure on Iran to compel it to give in or withdraw from its peaceful nuclear rights, said Salehi. He said Iran is positive about the negotiations held in Istanbul and the continuation of those talks in Baghdad on May 23. Any hasty decisions on Syria will get the situation worse, said Salehi commenting on the issue of Syria. He then condemned any foreign meddling in the internal affairs of Syria. As for Bahrain, Salehi said Iran strongly supports the legitimate demands of the Bahraini people. On Tehran-Cairo ties, Salehi hoped both sides will witness promotion of ties as the new government in Egypt takes office. Salehi also talked about the issue of Palestine and the importance of fulfillment of the rights of the oppressed Palestinians./end