EU-Iran search for unlikely truce

30 Nov, 2007 04:32 / Updated 16 years ago

Last-ditch talks on Iran’s nuclear programme will take place Friday between senior negotiators from the EU and Iran. A resolution still appears some way off, although both groups are hopeful of a breakthrough.

The EU's Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana and the Iranian top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili will take part in the London talks. International mediators from Russia, the EU, the U.S. and China have been seeking for a negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, but most importantly – a verified compliance with non-proliferation principles. The United States and European nations suspect the research is aimed at developing nuclear weapons, while Iran defends its right to peaceful nuclear energy saying the programme is aimed at generating electricity. “We basically oppose weapons of mass destruction. Not only nuclear weapons, but also any type of weapons of mass destruction,” Saeed Jalili said.