Iran’s FM spokesman says resumption of talks between Tehran and P5+1 depends on other side

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said on Tuesday that the resumption of talks between Tehran and the P5+1 depends on the other side as Iran has already announced its readiness for talks and cooperation.

Speaking to reporters during his weekly press conference, Mehmanparast pointed out that Iran has already expressed readiness for negotiations and cooperation based on common grounds, adding that the other party should demonstrate its willingness as well.

“First, the other party should be ready for talks and then the approach toward such talks should be based on cooperation so that the talks would be fruitful and finally talks should revolve around mutual concepts,” he said, adding that the talks won't be fruitful if any of the three conditions are not met.

He stressed that the two sides can discuss the details of negotiations as soon as the six major powers - Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States plus Germany - announce their readiness. “Our stance is crystal clear. Anytime they are ready for talks, we can discuss the details,” he noted.

On Monday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also expressed Tehran's readiness to hold talks with the P5+1 based on mutual respect. “The Islamic Republic has always been ready to hold talks in fair and respectful conditions,” Ahmadinejad said in a live televised interview.