Iran FM to handle nuclear talks with world powers
Until now talks over nuclear program have been led by head of Supreme National Security Council.
TEHRAN (AFP) - Iranian President Hassan Rowhani has tasked the foreign ministry, headed by Mohammad Javad Zarif, with handling the country s sensitive nuclear negotiations with world powers, the president s website said Thursday.
Until now, the talks over Tehran s controversial nuclear programme have been led by Saeed Jalili, head of the Supreme National Security Council.
Iran s president has confirmed that the foreign ministry will lead nuclear talks with world powers in a shift away from security officials setting Tehran s strategies for the critical negotiations.
Thursday s report on the website of President Hasan Rouhani s office gives the official stamp on a policy change first indicated last month after Rouhani s inauguration.
It makes Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, a veteran, Western-educated diplomat, Iran s top nuclear negotiator.
Previously, Iran s Supreme National Security Council was in charge of the nuclear dialogue with the US and other nations. The talks have been on hold for months after deadlocks over Western efforts to rein in Iran s nuclear program.
The West suspects Iran seek to develop nuclear weapons. Iran says it only seeks reactors for energy and medical research.
