Iran Says It Is Open To More Nuclear Talks

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad (file photo)

Iran says it is open to holding further talks with six world powers over its nuclear program.

President Mahmud Ahmadinejad said that "if the other side is determined and committed to justice, law, and respect, one can hope that suitable results could be achieved in future sessions."

Ahmadinejad's remarks came after the world powers expressed disappointment over the two days of talks held in Istanbul.

The talks in Istanbul on January 21-22 failed to yield results between Iran and the so-called P5+1 -- permanent UN Security Council members Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States, plus Germany.

France's foreign minister has suggested that France and its allies may pursue more sanctions against Iran following the failure.

Foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie, speaking on a visit to Jordan, said the lack of progress with Iran during two days of talks in Istanbul had left Western countries with few options.

During the meetings in Istanbul, Iran ruled out the possibility of abandoning its uranium-enrichment work.

But suspending enrichment is a key demand of Western states, and the UN Security Council has already imposed four sets of sanctions against Iran over its refusal to halt enrichment.

compiled from agency reports