Iranian delegates to nuclear talks in Geneva have announced that they are willing to discuss the Iranian nuclear program – if the discussion is part of a larger discussion on the subject of global nuclear disarmament.
Chief Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili wrote a proposal calling for worldwide disarmament and sent it to several foreign leaders. The proposal does not touch on Iran's nuclear program.
The Iranian delegates did not agree to discuss Iran's nuclear program during Thursday's Geneva meeting, except to repeat that Iran sees its uranium enrichment program as a national right. The delegates agreed to hold a second meeting within a month, according to Iranian state media.
Delegates from Europe, the United State, Russia and China hope to convince Iran to suspend enrichment in exchange for political and economic benefits.
U.S. Undersecretary of State William Burns held a bilateral meeting with Jalili on Thursday. An unnamed official told journalists that the meeting was “significant.”
'Process will Take Time'
Western leaders expressed willingness to continue talks without immediate results. “That process will take some time. We're not going to make a snap judgment on Thursday,” U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters.
European and Russian officials also explained that they did not expect an immediate resolution to concerns over Iran's nuclear program, but rather were hoping for a starting point to future talks.
As long as talks continue, the U.S. and Europe are unlikely to push for harsh sanctions on Iran.
Miliband Warns Iran: We're Not Weak
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband issued a warning to Iranian leaders on Thursday during a speech to members of Britain's ruling Labour party. “Our message to Iran is simple: do not mistake respect for weakness,” Miliband said.
Iranian leaders “need to get serious,” he added.
Protesters Call for Sanctions
As diplomats met in Geneva, protesters assembled outside to call for immediate sanctions on the Iranian government. The ongoing talks with Iran are only bringing the Iranian government closer to obtaining nuclear weapons, they warned.