The Iranian ambassador to Beirut says the US should win Iran’s trust in nuclear talks to help achieve a comprehensive deal over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program.
In an interview with Lebanese TV station Al Mayadeen, Ghazanfar Roknabadi said that the claims by the US that Iran’s ballistic missile program would be addressed as part of a comprehensive nuclear deal is among the causes of Tehran’s distrust in Washington.
He said bringing up such issues as negotiations are ongoing for a final nuclear deal would not contribute to the advancement of the talks.
Reaffirming Tehran’s stance that it would not discuss issues irrelevant to its nuclear energy program, the Iranian diplomat said that the Islamic Republic is ready to take measures to assure the other party that its nuclear activities are totally peaceful.

In return, he said, the opposite side should lift all the nuclear-related sanctions against Iran.

Earlier this month, Wendy Sherman, the US top nuclear negotiator at the talks with Iran, said during a Senate hearing that the Islamic Republic’s ballistic missile program would be addressed as part of a comprehensive nuclear deal.

Iran has, however, said that its defense and scientific capabilities are non-negotiable, stressing that no subject other than its nuclear energy program will be discussed in the talks.

The latest talks over Iran’s nuclear energy program started between the Islamic Republic and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the United States, China, Russia, France and Britain - plus Germany in Vienna on February 18. The discussions wrapped up on Thursday.

The next round of the talks between Iran and the world powers are to be held in Vienna on March 17.

By Press TV

 

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