USA and Iran ready to resume nuclear talks

US and Iran edging back to nuclear talks THE AUSTRALIAN, AFP September 25, 2010 US and Iranian leaders have signalled a new desire to revive talks to end the standoff over Tehran’s nuclear aims, despite a US-led walkout.

In separate speeches at the UN General Assembly yesterday, presidents Barack Obama and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said their governments were prepared for talks, four months after Washington obtained harsh new UN sanctions against Tehran.

In an interview, Mr Ahmadinejad said the talks would probably begin in October. But he infuriated Washington when he suggested the US government was involved in 9/11. The US delegation led a Western walkout over remarks the EU called “outrageous and unacceptable”……

In his speech, Mr Obama sounded positive but cautious about Iran’s nuclear program.

“Let me be clear once more: the United States and the international community seek a resolution to our differences with Iran, and the door remains open to diplomacy should Iran choose to walk through it,” Mr Obama said.

“But the Iranian government must demonstrate a clear and credible commitment, and confirm to the world the peaceful intent of its nuclear program,” the US President said.

Washington fears Iran’s nuclear energy program masks a drive to build a nuclear weapon, while Iran insists it is for purely peaceful power purposes.

In his speech, five hours after Mr Obama’s, Mr Ahmadinejad said Iran had long been ready for negotiations and dismissed any suggestion Tehran was caving in to US pressure……US and Iran edging back to nuclear talks | The Australian

September 25, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics international, USA | antinuclear, nuclear weapons