DHAKA: Talks between Iran and world powers on Iran’s disputed nuclear programme have begun in Geneva, with both sides expressing cautious optimism.

It is the second round of talks since a new Iranian president took office in August with a more conciliatory stance.

A spokesman for the EU’s foreign policy envoy Catherine Ashton said she had a ‘good meeting’ with Iran’s foreign minister before discussions started.

The West suspects Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons.

Tehran says its programme is for peaceful purposes.

In comments broadcast on Iranian TV on Thursday, Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the nuclear issue was ‘not insoluble’, adding it was his government’s policy to ‘refrain from seeking nuclear weapons’, reports the BBC.

BDST: 2047 HRS, NOV 07, 2013
RoR/RIS