Iran ready to resume the talks with Europe

TEHRAN, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said here on Sunday that Iran will back the talks with Europe if they are carefully planned and are of practical results, the official IRNA news agency reported.

He told the reporters on the sidelines of an international conference on Iran's peaceful nuclear program that "From now on Iran is ready to cooperate with all sides over the global major issues."

His statements come days after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that his country would no longer negotiate over its nuclear issue outside the frame of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

No one from outside the IAEA has the jurisdiction over the nuclear program, Ahmadinejad had said, adding that "the time is over now that some people used to show up and talk about Iran's nuclear issue."

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Monday plumping down stronger sanctions to press Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities.

Among the 15 members of the Security Council, 14 voted for Resolution 1803 while Indonesia abstained.

The foreign ministers of Germany and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council later on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to a "dual-track approach" to addressing the Iranian nuclear issue.

The United States welcomed the resolution, saying it hopes it will make Iran change its behavior, including its adamant about its uranium enrichment activities.

Washington has accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Iran has denied the U.S. charges and insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

TEHRAN, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that his country would no longer negotiate over its nuclear issue outside the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the official IRNA news agency reported. Full story

VIENNA, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) dropped a proposed resolution against Iran Tuesday, due to differences among members.

An unidentified Western diplomat said Britain, France and Germany withdrew the draft resolution, which was due to be discussed by the IAEA's board of governors. Full story

UNITED NATIONS, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on Monday slapping stronger sanctions to press Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities.

Fourteen of the 15 members of the Security Council voted for Resolution 1803 but Indonesia abstained, a departure from two previous sanctions resolutions on Iran, which enjoyed unanimous support. Full story

UNITED NATIONS, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The new UN Security Council resolution on Iran is not aimed at punishing Iran, but urging Tehran to return to the negotiating table and thus to reactivate anew round of diplomatic efforts, Chinese Ambassador Wang Guangya said here Monday.

The 15-member Security Council adopted Resolution 1803 with a vote of 14-0. Indonesia abstained from endorsing the document, which calls for travel restrictions and bans for more Iranians; an expansion of asset freezes; curbs on dual-use items, export credit; financial monitoring; cargo inspections on aircraft and vessels; and possible "next steps." Full story

TEHRAN, March 3 (Xinhua) -- A senior Iranian nuclear official said on Monday that a new UN Security Council resolution against Tehran over its nuclear program would make the issue "further complicated," the official IRNA news agency reported.

"Any irrational, illogical and unjudicial behavior will not only fail to solve Iran's nuclear issue but will also make related equations further complicated and tougher," Deputy Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Saeedi was quoted as saying. Full story

WASHINGTON, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The United States welcomed the UN Security Council resolution adopted to tighten sanctions on Iran on Monday and urged Teheran to change its behavior.

The United States is pleased to see the UN Security Council has recognized "the continuing threat" posed by Iran's nuclear program through the new resolution, State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said. Full story