According to Mehr News Agency, Saeed Jalili, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator said on Thursday that Iran will submit its updated nuclear proposal to the P5+1 next week. He also confirmed his previous note on Iran’s willingness to resume negotiations with the world powers on the nuclear issue.
Jalili told Iran’s Arabic-language television network al-Alam on Tuesday that “Iran has prepared an updated nuclear proposal and is ready to resume negotiations with the world powers.” Iran’s proposal, Jalili said, could “serve as a basis for talks” with the Western powers. Yet, the European Union’s foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Wednesday that the West has not received it [Iran’s proposal] and they cannot judge it. “If the document is presented, we will read it and we will be happy to discuss it,” Solana said to the press. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs made similar comments yesterday morning.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hassan Qashqavi said on Thursday that sanctions imposed against Iran over its nuclear program are as ineffective as a ‘rusty sword’. “The Iranian nation favors interaction and dialogue but will not surrender to pressure,” Qashqavi said, commenting on the West’s move to consider a September deadline for talks with Iran over its nuclear program.
“Sanctions is just a rusty sword which has not any major effect,” IRIB quoted Qashqavi as saying on Wednesday. Qashqavi stressed that Iran is committed to its international responsibilities, but will not give up its nuclear rights.