Iran’s Chief Negotiator Hopes to Settle a Deal before Next Month’s Elections

Things have been a quiet for a while with regards to Iran and it’s drawn out conflict with the UN.

Iran continues to operate its nuclear program in the pursuit of enriching uranium, whilst at the same time the US, and Europe continue to uphold sanctions aimed at choking the Persian nation’s economy.

In April, the latest round of negotiations failed as Iran were unwilling to back down from their desire to enrich uranium, and the UN unwilling to discuss terms that did not include a halt to all such activities.

Now, in what may hopefully be a positive turn of events, Iran’s chief negotiator, Saeed Jalili, has announced that his country is willing to negotiate a diplomatic solution to the situation with world powers before next month’s presidential elections.

Related article: Attacking Iran’s Nuclear Sites Would be Sheer Madness

Jalili, who is a candidate in the presidential race, made this announcement after having held talks with Catherine Ashton, the EU chief on foreign policy who represents the United States, Russia, China, France, Great Britain, and Germany, about the technicalities of the nuclear dispute.

Jalili told reporters that, “we are ready to continue our talks with the (six powers) whenever they are ready, before or after the presidential election in Iran... Talks will take place soon.”

Jalili’s words may seem encouraging at first, but he also reiterated the fact that Iran will never abandon its right to enrich uranium; but that is the centre of the whole issue, and the only thing that the UN really wants, so maybe we shouldn’t hold our breath for a solution to be resolved quite as quickly as he suggested.

By. Joao Peixe of Oilprice.com