World powers have told Iran the "door remains open" for talks on the country's disputed nuclear program.
The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany -- the so-called P5 + 1 -- repeated the invitation on Wednesday at an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting in Vienna.
Russian envoy Grigory Berdennikov said world powers expect Iran to show what he called a "pragmatic attitude" and respond positively.
The United States and many other countries suspect Iran is using its nuclear program to develop weapons. Tehran denies this, saying the program is for peaceful purposes only.
The last round of nuclear talks with Iran ended in January with no substantive results.
On Tuesday, Iran's foreign ministry said the IAEA was being pressured when it criticized the country's nuclear program this week.
EU representatives attending the IAEA meeting expressed similar concern Wednesday about that program.
Separately, Iranian Nobel peace laureate Shirin Ebadi predicted there would be a popular anti-government revolt in her country, similar to those sweeping through much of the Middle East.
But she said she hopes the uprising will be peaceful -- unlike in Libya. Ebadi commented Wednesday on the sidelines of a U.N. Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva. The exiled human rights activist has been urging world powers to freeze the assets of Iranian officials.
Follow our Middle East reports on Twitter and discuss them on our Facebook page.
LOOK!!! its always easy to tell when iran is lying...their mouth will be moving!!!
09-03-2011Western Lier
(UK)
hey, dudes, look at the map, many bombs, almost 25000.. why people want to stop iran who is even struggling to make 1 ? ? lets them make 1. would that change anything ?? why ?? Israel has got 200. so dont think they would be worried at all.
stupid world,
09-03-2011kamran Ale Davoodi
(AUST)
It isn't about nuclear bomb, it isn't about Ahmadinejad, it is about subjugating Iran, If iran can defend itself then there would be no repeat of Iraq, the countries next door won;t allow their country be used to attack Iran, they won't cooporate with USA on sanctions. That will happen now anyway as the Arab people will have a bigger say in what happens in their country!
10-03-2011lipservice101
(Indonesia)
This is all propaganda lies of nonsense like in IRAQ. Iran has no nuclear weapons program and has been consistent all times.
For about 12 years, Israel has claimed that Iran will have a nuclear bomb within 6 months or a year.
The USA constantly issues accusations about Iran's "nuclear weapons" but to this day, has not produced one shred of evidence to support those accusations.
So, why should one believe anything they say now? any potential delay in it is just imaginary.
11-03-2011Merlin
(USA)
Lier,Kamran & Lips: Hi Hamad! Read Fish Eye again. He's the only one telling the TRUTH. You 3 are morons who consume too much hashish and need to keep your heads in your large gluebags. Add some new glue, inhale deeply, and sit back and enjoy. You'll be happy, and so will the rest of us.
13-03-2011Javelin
(USA)
Why does Iran struggle to make even 1 nuclear bomb? Will that scare America? Iran has people living in mud huts, no fresh water, no sewage and no electicity. Why the bomb? Arab (Sunni)nations are the one's who fear Iran and want US protection!
Post Your Comment
* Required
By using this form you agree to the following: All comments will be reviewed before posting. Be aware - not all submissions will be posted. VOA has the right to use your comments worldwide in any VOA produced media.
Terms & Conditions
