Putin defends Iran’s right to enrich uranium, nuke talks date may be set

PanARMENIAN.Net - A date for the next talks between Iran and six global powers seeking to ensure Tehran does not develop nuclear arms could be set during meetings on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly this month, President Hassan Rouhani said on Friday, September 13, according to Reuters.

Rouhani, speaking during a security summit in Kyrgyzstan, said the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program can only be guaranteed if its interests and rights are respected, an apparent reference to Tehran's desire to continue enriching uranium.

According to PressTV, Russian President Vladimir Putin has backed Iran's nuclear energy program, saying the Islamic Republic has the right to peaceful use of nuclear technology, including uranium enrichment.

“We presume that Iran, as any other state, has a right to peaceful use of atomic energy, including enrichment operations,” Putin said in an address to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek on Friday.

Putin also welcomed Iran’s readiness to hold talks with the six major world powers (P5+1) to resolve the West’s nuclear standoff with Iran.

Iran and the P5+1 group - Russia, China, Britain, France, the US and Germany -- have held several rounds of talks on a range of issues, with the main focus being on Iran’s nuclear energy program.

The two sides wrapped up their latest round of negotiations on April 6 in the Kazakh city of Almaty. An earlier meeting had been held in Almaty on February 26-27.