Salehi made the remarks during a joint press conference with Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Samuel Santos López in Tehran on Sunday in reply to a question about the objective that Iran is seeking to realize in a new round of talks with the 5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany).
“In the talks, we are seeking to find a way out of Iran’s nuclear issue in such a way that it would be win-win. We understand the other side’s situation and are aware that the other side is seeking… to come out of the issue honorably. We are also ready to” help them in this regard, Salehi stated, adding, “We will go to the meeting with a positive attitude and good will. I hope that the other side will show good will as well.”
He added, “In the normal course of events, the venue for talks will be Istanbul, and we are waiting for European Union foreign policy chief) Ms. (Catherine) Ashton’s letter so that the date can be determined.”
“As we have already announced, in the letter that we have written to Ms. Ashton, we have stated that we are ready to engage in negotiations. We are waiting for the other side’s response,” Salehi stated.
Iran sent a reply to Ashton’s letter dated October 2011 on February 15. Iran’s letter contains suggestions about the date, venue, and agenda of a new round of talks.
As many centrifuges as needed installed at Fordo facility
In reply to a question about the number of centrifuges installed at the Fordo enrichment facility, the Iranian foreign minister said it has been “announced that as many centrifuges as required have been installed at the Fordo, and the activities are being carried out under the supervision of the agency. More details will be published in this regard in the next report of the agency, which will be released in March.”
Western officials’ remarks are propagandistic
Salehi was also asked to comment on British Foreign Secretary William Hague’s remarks on February 18, in which he claimed Iran’s drive to get nuclear weapons will plunge the world into “a new Cold War.”
“One of the methods to exert pressure on our country is the intensification of media pressure. Remarks being made by Western officials are mostly propagandistic and meant to create a vitriolic media atmosphere. They think they can cause concerns through creating such an atmosphere,” he said.
He also said that the Westerners have an “arrogant” nature, and “have not yet learned to take steps regarding their political interactions with logic and tact.”
Bomb attack charges intended to damage Iran’s relations with friends
Asked about Israeli claims that Iran was involved in the explosions that rattled the Thai capital of Bangkok on February 14, Salehi said that the truth will finally come out.
“These are plots that they (the Israelis) have hatched with the aim of damaging our ties with friendly countries,” he said.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Salehi spoke about the meeting he held with the Nicaraguan foreign minister on Sunday and said that Iran is keen to share its experiences with Nicaragua.
All nuclear weapons in the world should be eradicated
During the press conference, the Nicaraguan foreign minister said that his country maintains that that all nuclear weapons in the world should be abolished.
EP/PA
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MNA
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