EU's Foreign Affairs Chief Invites Iran For Nuclear Talks

Catherine Ashton

European Union (EU) foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton says she has invited Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, to talks.

Ashton's invitation in a letter to Jalili comes as the European Union plans new sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program.

EU foreign ministers, at a meeting in Luxembourg on June 14, are to discuss exactly what areas should be hit so that EU heads of state and government can formally endorse the sanctions at a summit in Brussels on June 17.

Details of the sanctions will be worked out later. Last week, the UN Security Council imposed a new, fourth round of sanctions over suspicions Iran's nuclear program is aimed at producing weapons. Iran denies this.

(AFP)