Iran Attacks Both Sides to Engage in "Nuclear" Talks

After expressing "interest" in the Russian plan, an Iranian delegation went to Moscow on the 20th to discuss the plan in detail with Russia. On the same day, a delegation led by Foreign Minister Mottaki personally arrived at the EU for a visit. Attacking from both sides provides a new opportunity for diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki expressed Iran's goodwill on the 19th to negotiate on the Russian plan. He said: "If the Russian plan adds some additional indicators to constitute a comprehensive solution, then we can say that this plan is in Iran's interests."

Immediately afterwards, Hosseini Tash, Deputy Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, led a delegation to Moscow on the morning of the 20th, and began to hold talks with Sobolev, Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council, on the Iranian nuclear issue that afternoon.

It is reported that the two sides will mainly discuss Russia's proposal to establish a uranium enrichment joint venture in Russia during the talks. The main purpose of the talks is to get rid of the current deadlock on the Iranian nuclear issue before the IAEA Board of Governors convenes a regular meeting in early March.

On the same day, Iran also sent a delegation to the European Union, led by Foreign Minister Mottaki himself. Mottaki told a press conference after arriving in Brussels that Iran was willing to make concessions on nuclear fuel production and would consider Russia's suggestions. He said that the main parts of Russia's proposal to establish an international uranium enrichment center deserve consideration, including the participants, the location of uranium enrichment and the timing of the implementation of the plan. But Iran's nuclear research must continue, and Iran's right to peaceful use of nuclear energy must be protected.

On the same day, Mottaki met with Belgian Foreign Minister De Gut and EU Commissioner for External Relations Ferrero Waldner. He will also hold talks with the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Solana and will address the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.

Thomas Bicker, spokesman for the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, said that Iran took the initiative to propose plans for this EU trip, which shows that the Iranian government is willing to "restore dialogue" with the EU.