World powers said today they were committed to a diplomatic solution on the issue of Iran's nuclear programme and welcomed US president Barack Obama's offer to talk directly with Tehran.
"(We) emphasise a common commitment to a diplomatic solution based on the dual track strategy," said a German official who quoted from a joint statement from the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany.
The official was referring to the longstanding two-track approach of using diplomacy and the threat of sanctions to persuade Tehran to rein in its nuclear programme.
World powers are meeting in Weisbaden in Germany today to review their Iran strategy. The powers urged Iran to comply fully with the United Nations over its nuclear programme.
A European official, who declined to be named, said there was no talk of new sanctions at the meeting and that a new gathering was planned after the United States had completed a review of its Iran policy. The next meeting could take place in London next month, the official said.
The UN security council has imposed three rounds of sanctions against Iran for refusing to suspend its enrichment of uranium. Western powers suspect the work is aimed at building an atomic bomb but Tehran says it is for peaceful purposes of power generation.
Washington is reviewing its policy towards Iran and the Obama administration is considering a range of options to get Iran to change its behaviour. Mr Obama's predecessor, George W Bush, opposed direct talks with Iran to resolve the standoff.
Mr Obama's secretary of state Hillary Clinton signalled yesterday Washington would support "tough and direct" diplomacy with Iran at the meeting of senior officials from the United States, Russia, Britain, China, France and Germany.
As the meeting opened in Germany, a representative of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed the possibility that strained ties with Washington would change under the new president.
"Opposing the Zionist regime and defending oppressed people are among the pillars of the Islamic revolution and Iran and America's relationship will not change because of Obama taking office," said the representative of the Revolutionary Guards in northwestern Zanjan province, cleric Hojjatoleslam Ali Maboudi, according to the Fars News Agency.
Yesterday, Iran announced it had launched a satellite into orbit for the first time, a step timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution to oust the US-backed Shah.
The White House voiced "acute concern" over Iran's actions but a spokesman for the foreign ministry in Tehran, said the launch was for scientific purposes and reiterated that nuclear work would continue.
Reuters