Breakthrough in nuclear talks likely after U.S. election: Iranian president

TEHRAN,Oct.1(MNA) – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that talks over Iran’s nuclear program will result in a “very important decision” after the U.S. presidential election, which is scheduled to be held on November 6. Ahmadinejad made the remarks during an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria published on Sunday in reference to negotiations between Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany), the latest high-level round of which was held in Moscow on June 18 and 19, the Jerusalem Post reported. “We have seen during many years that as we approach the United States’ presidential election, no important decisions are made,” the Iranian president said, adding, “Following the election, certainly the atmosphere will be much more stable, and important decisions can be made and announced.” The talks will result in a “very important decision” after the U.S. presidential election, he noted. “We have set forth proposals, we are holding dialogue,” Ahmadinejad said. “We do hope to be able to take some steps forward.” ‘Israeli strike would not change Iran’s policies’ Elsewhere in his remarks, Ahmadinejad commented on Israel’s threats against Iran and said that an Israeli attack would not alter Iranian policies. Ahmadinejad, according to the transcript of the interview published on the CNN website, stated, “Iran is a vast country. It’s a great country. Let’s assume a few terrorists come and assassinate some of our officials. Will the country be damaged? No. A couple of bombs will be set to explode. Will the country be destroyed? No. “We see the Zionist regime at the same level of the bombers and criminals and the terrorists. And even if they do something -– and even if they do something, hypothetically -- it will not affect us fundamentally.” Iranian economy not faltering In addition, Ahmadinejad denied reports that the Iranian economy is faltering and said that the sanctions have not hurt foreign trade. “Many of the European companies are currently, as we speak, conducting trade with us,” he said, according to the Jerusalem Post. “Some of them do it in hiding. They do secretly, but they do conduct that trade. You hear some news and you believe that Iran’s economy is now in chaos. It is not so,” the Iranian president added.