Iran to continue n-talks under Khamenei’s guidance: Prez Rouhani

Tehran: "Tehran will continue nuclear talks with the six world powers under the guidelines of supreme leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei", President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday.

The president said Iran sought serious talks with the P5+1 group of countries to arrive at a "fair" deal over Tehran's nuclear programme.

"…Our issue is negotiations; we do not want to merely adopt a stance, but we are seeking serious talks and a fair understanding," Rouhani said.

Rouhani termed the nuclear talks with the six world powers as a great political issue, saying: "Today we are seeking to consolidate the nation's right through dialog and interaction."

Rouhani further urged national unity and solidarity to overcome problems facing the country, including the impact of 'cruel sanctions' imposed on the country.

Rouhani's remarks came as Iran and the P5+1 group — the US, Britain, France, China, and Russia plus Germany — are holding extensive talks in the Austrian city of Vienna to finalise the text of a possible deal over Tehran's nuclear programme by the end of June.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was scheduled to travel to Vienna on Saturday to join his deputies Abbas Araqchi and Majid Takht-e-Ravanchi, who have been holding talks about the text of a possible comprehensive deal on Tehran's nuclear programme since June 17.

US Secretary of State John Kerry would also travel to Vienna on Friday to take part in the nuclear negotiations, according to US State Department spokesman John Kirby.

The rest of P5+1 foreign ministers were also expected to join the talks in Vienna.

Iran and the P5+1 group are seeking to seal a comprehensive deal based on mutual understanding on the key parameters agreed upon in the Swiss city of Lausanne on April 2.

(IANS)