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US Seeks to Join Nuke Talks With Iran

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 8, 2009 2:11 PM CDT

(Newser) – The US wants to be a direct party to nuclear talks between Iran and the UN, CNN reports. Washington had stayed away from earlier negotiations because it has no diplomatic relationship with the country, but the State Department said today it had asked an EU official to invite Iran to a sit-down with the UN Security Council. Iran has not heeded UN demands that it halt enrichment of uranium, which it says it will use for civil purposes.

“If Iran accepts,” a State Department spokesman said, “we hope this will be an occasion to seriously engage Iran of how to break the logjam of recent years and work in a cooperative manner to resolve the outstanding international concerns about its nuclear program.”

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili. (AP Photo)

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, left, welcomes Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili. (AP Photo)

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. (AP Photo)

The reactor building dominates the nuclear power plant in Bushehr, Iran. (AP Photo)

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US Seeks to Join Nuke Talks With Iran

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iran • United Nations • nuclear power • Germany • European Union • State Department • nuclear weapons • United States • uranium enrichment • negotiations • UN Security Council

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Iran Waffles on Nuke Deal

Talks begin today as state news hints out-of-country enrichment deal won't fly

Iran Refuses to Cede Nuclear Rights

President rejects deadline for halting uranium enrichment

Iran Promises West 'Bloody Nose' Over Nuke Program

'The nation will slap you in the mouth,' Ahmadinejad warns

Iran Allows Swiss Envoys Visit With Detained Hikers

Policy reversal may be gesture of goodwill ahead of nuclear talks

Obama-Led Security Council OKs Nuke Resolution

US-drafted measure strengthened by Obama appearance at meeting

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?