BICOM

Representatives of the P5+1 forum of international powers met yesterday with Iranian counterparts in Istanbul to further discuss proposals to resolve disputes over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

The P5+1 powers – United States, UK, China, Russia, France and Germany – are tasked with leading the international effort to find a diplomatic resolution to calm fears over Iran’s nuclear programme. Yesterday’s talks, which took place behind closed doors, are a continuation of negotiations between the two sides in Kazakhstan at the end of last month.

Yesterdays talks were scheduled to further explore the technicalities of implementing an arrangement discussed in Kazakhstan under which sanctions could be eased on Iranian gold and other precious metals. In return, Iran would at least interrupt activities at the nuclear plant at Fordow, where it is believed twenty per cent enriched uranium is being produced, considered just a small step from weapons grade material.

Michael Mann, spokesman for European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who oversees P5+1 contact with Iran confirmed yesterday that nuclear expert Stephan Klemant had presented Iran with a “revised confidence-building proposal” and said that “The meeting also provided an opportunity for both [P5+1] and Iranian experts to explore each other’s positions on a number of technical subjects.”

Yesterday’s meeting came as US President Obama delivered a video message to the Iranian people to mark the Persian holiday of Norwuz. He called on the Iranian authorities to take “immediate and meaningful steps… toward an enduring, long-term settlement” regarding its nuclear programme and reiterated that “the United States prefers to resolve this matter peacefully, diplomatically.” Iran’s nuclear development is expected to be one of the top items on the agenda when Obama meets Israeli officials on a regional tour later this week.