Iran: pressure strategy endangers Baghdad talks

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran's chief negotiator in talks with the six world powers called on the western states to avoid "unconstructive remarks" ahead of the upcoming talks between Tehran and the Group 5+1 in Baghdad, warning that the era of "pressure strategy" has long ended and "any kind of miscalculation" would endanger success of the negotiations.

"The era of the strategy of pressure has ended," Saeed Jalili said in a meeting here in Tehran on Sunday with Former French Prime Minister Michel Rocard, alluding to some recent remarks by a number of western officials.

He further noted some western officials' illogical comments and unfounded claims which have been repeatedly rejected by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and cautioned these western officials to avoid "unconstructive remarks".

"Any kind of miscalculation by the West will deter success of the Talks," Jalili underlined, and added, "In Baghdad, we will be waiting for the building of the Iranian nation's confidence."

The former French premier, for his part, said that the "Istanbul talks were a positive step ahead", and expressed the hope that Iran and the Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) would continue the path of understanding that they started in Istanbul so that "we will witness the pleasure and mutual understanding of all sides".

"Such a success will be in the interest of all, including France," he reiterated.

Iran and the Group 5+1 restarted negotiations in Istanbul last month and the sides have agreed to meet again in Baghdad on May 23.

Jalili, who is also Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), headed the Iranian side and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton led the delegations of the world powers.

Both Jalili and Ashton voiced satisfaction with the talks after the Istanbul meeting.

Iranian officials have expressed the hope that the positive trend of talks between Tehran and the six world powers in Istanbul would continue in Baghdad, and stressed that removal of sanctions should be the least result of the upcoming round of negotiations.

After two rounds of fruitful talks with the six world powers, Jalili said that withdrawing sanctions against Iran should be a focal point in any future talks on cooperation between Iran and the world powers.

"It is of crucial importance that our (future) cooperation will entail reciprocal steps, that is, our nation's trust should be built in the trend of talks and cooperation," Jalili told reporters at a press conference after the second meeting with the representatives of the G5+1 in Istanbul.

Iranian officials have said they are hopeful to see tangible results in the upcoming meeting in Baghdad, adding they are "optimistic" that in the May 23 session the other side would reciprocate Iran's goodwill gestures.

"We continue to be optimistic about the upcoming negotiations," said Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Mahdi Akhondzadeh at a conference in Vienna on Wednesday.