Iran rejects rumors of direct talks with US during nuclear negotiations in Almaty

Azerbaijan, Baku, April 11 /Trend S.Isayev, D. Khatinoglu/ Iran did not hold any direct talks with U.S. representatives during the nuclear negotiations with the P5+1 group in Almaty, an informed Iranian diplomatic source told ISNA. Earlier some Iranian media outlets reported referring to foreign media that the members of Iranian negotiating team in Almaty held direct talks with the U.S. on the sidelines of the negotiations with P5+1 group. The U.S. Department of State spokesman Alan Eyre told Trend on Thursday that he would not comment on the issue. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said during the latest Novrooz celebrations that he is not against the direct talks with the U.S., however added that he's not optimistic about the outcome. The negotiations on the nuclear programme between Iran and the 'six' countries (U.S., UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) took place on April 5-6 in Kazakhstan. At the end of the negotiations, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said the parties have not reached an agreement. The previous round of negotiations took place on February 26-27 in Kazakhstan. The U.S., and other Western countries and Israel suspect Iran of developing nuclear weapons under the guise of a peaceful nuclear energy programme. Tehran denies the charges saying its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az