Israel Matzav

But of course: Iran won't discuss nuclear program in Istanbul

Iran is expected to get together with the P 5+1 in Istanbul on Friday and Saturday, and I'm sure that you'll all be shocked to hear that Acting Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has announced that Iran's nuclear program will not be on the agenda (Hat Tip: Is Iran's Fist Still Clenched).

"We will absolutely not recognize the negotiation if the other side wants to negotiate on the issue of the [Iranian] nuclear dossier," Salehi said in an interview with state-run Iran newspaper.

Salehi, who previously headed Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, said the Iranian nuclear issue could be only discussed with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog.

"The agency, based on international rules and regulations, is the only authority to judge the member states' issues," Salehi said adding that the discussion of the issue with Iran Six is "meaningless."

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tehran was ready to discuss global international issues at the talks with the group of six powers, but not its nuclear program.

What could go wrong?

Labels: Ali Akbar Salehi, Iranian nuclear program, Istanbul, P 5+1

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:35 PM