May 14, 2013 - 14:40 AMT
Iran says its nuke negotiator seeks ‘constructive’ response from EU

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman says Tehran’s nuclear negotiator is seeking a “constructive” response from the European Union’s top diplomat in upcoming talks aimed at possibly restarting wider dialogue with the U.S. and other world powers, The Associated Press reports.

The meeting in Istanbul on Wednesday, May 15, comes more than a month after the last round between Iran and the six powers ended in stalemate.

Spokesman Abbas Araghchi told reporters Tuesday he hopes EU’s foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, will take a “positive” view in talks with Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili.

Araghchi gave no further details. In the past, Iran’s demands have included recognition of its “right” to enrich uranium.

The West and its allies fear Iran’s nuclear program could lead to atomic weapons. Iran says it only seeks nuclear capabilities for energy and medical applications.