Iran, EU talks possible only under moratorium - Lavrov

RIA Novosti:

Russia supports Iran's intention to resume talks with the European trio of France, Germany and Britain, but only with Tehran observing the nuclear research moratorium, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"I fully support the appeal to resume talks but believe it would be possible only under the generally recognized conditions that assume Iran's observance of the uranium enrichment moratorium," Lavrov said. READ MORE

The minister said Russia has made great efforts to restore talks between Iran and the European Troika.

"It was very difficult for us to come to an agreement that Iran's steps would not be the reason for stopping the talks," Lavrov said. "The next round [of talks] was scheduled for January but Iran announced its withdrawal from the nuclear research moratorium.

"I doubt that the Iranian nuclear issue will be settled if the talks with the European trio are not resumed," Lavrov said.

Iran says it has the right to research and develop peaceful nuclear energy. The West, led by the United States, and Israel fear the Islamic republic could use the research to proliferate nuclear weapons and are seeking to refer Iran's nuclear dossier to the UN Security Council.