Expert: Holding Iran, P5+1 talks at FM level - efficient step towards solution

Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 27 / Trend, N. Umid, S. Isayev Holding nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1 group at foreign ministers' level is an efficient step towards finding a common solution, Iranian expert on international issues and Arabic countries, Hassan Hanizadeh told Trend. The expert went on to note that presence of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the meeting can help Iran to get closer to the viewpoints of the West. It should be noted that on Sept. 26, the meeting between Iranian negotiating team led by FM Mohammad Javad Zarif met with his counterparts from the country-members of the P5+1 group on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. The talks were aimed at jump-starting efforts to resolve a decade-long standoff over Iran's nuclear ambitions. John Kerry shook hands with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on the sidelines of the United Nations in one of the foes' highest-level encounters since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It was a very uncommon encounter between top officials of the United States and Iran, which have been estranged since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution toppled the U.S.-backed shah. It was the first meeting between a U.S. secretary of state and an Iranian foreign minister since a brief encounter in May 2007. "Short talks between Iran's FM and John Kerry showcase that Iran is more prepared to resolve the nuclear issue as compared to the past, and it also shows the Western countries that it tries to achieve results through negotiations," Hassan Hanizadeh said. Speaking about earlier words of Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, who urged the nuclear issue to be solved "in 3-6 months", Hanizadeh said that while Iran is facing serious economic problems, Rouhani has promised the people that the Western sanctions would be lifted within one year. "Iran is ready to negotiate with Western countries on the level of uranium enrichment. Also country's willingness to open all of its nuclear facilities for investigators of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) shows that Iran is serious regarding the resolvie of the nuclear issue," the expert said. He went on to say that all of Iran's high ranking officials are ready for negotiations and serious cooperation with both IAEA and P5+1 group. Hanizadeh said that united voice from Iran's leaders is being heard in the West, regarding the solution to the nuclear issue, and the lift of sanctions. "Hassan Rouhani has full authority regarding the nuclear issue, and there are no groups in Iran that oppose this decision," Hanizadeh underscored.