US sees opportunity in Iran election for progress in nuclear talks
The US hopes that progress in addressing international concerns over Iran's nuclear program will take place under the newly elected more moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouahni who has taken a "positive tone."
The United States, encouraged by the signals sent by Iran’s election of Hassan Rouhani, hopes Iran engages seriously and gives a substantive response when nuclear talks resume in the fall, a senior US administration official said Friday.
“We have all noted Rouhani’s positive tone and remarks post-election,” the senior US administration official said in a small background conference call briefing Friday.
“We are glad for the positive words," the official continued. "But what we are looking for are actions that indicate a desire to deal seriously with the P5+1. Words are not enough. We need a concrete response.”
The American official spoke ahead of a meeting of political directors from the P5+1--the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia and China--in Brussels next week (July 16 ) to discuss preparations for a new meeting with Iran in the fall. Talks between the P5+1 and Iran are likely to resume at the earliest in September, following the inauguration next month of Rouhani, and depending on the logistics of arranging a meeting around the opening of the United Nations General Assembly in September.
