Iran is preparing a set of new proposals aimed at restarting talks on the country”s nuclear program, the country”s foreign minister said Thursday.
European Union and French officials said Thursday they are working to set up the new talks, which would be the first international discussion on Iran”s nuclear program since President Barack Obama took office in January.
The United States and some of its allies accuse Iran of secretly seeking to develop atomic weapons. Iran denies the allegation, saying its nuclear program is geared toward generating electricity not bombs.
“We do believe that this new proposed package would be a very good base for mutual cooperation on the international level,” Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters after attending an international donors” conference on Somalia.
He not elaborate on the proposals.
Mottaki”s comments were similar to ones made earlier this month by Iran”s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. On April 9, Ahmadinejad said Iran would present a new proposal for negotiations, saying “conditions have changed” — an apparent reference to Obama”s election and Iran”s own progress in its nuclear program since previous international talks were held last year.
