DHAKA: Iran said its hotly awaited proposal to break the deadlock with world powers over its nuclear programme earned a good reception on Tuesday, in talks seen as a test of a thaw under new president Hassan Rouhani.

The hour-long PowerPoint presentation by foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his team was for the first time delivered in English, Western officials said, underlining a new mood in the often-tense nuclear talks.

Senior Iranian negotiator Abbas Araghchi praised the ‘very positive environment’ and said the ‘reaction was good’ across the table.

He told reporters that all sides had agreed not to reveal details, but insisted the proposal was ‘very comprehensive’ and eclipsed one made in April under Rouhani’s predecessor that ended up a dead letter, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 2101 HRS, OCT 15, 2013
RoR/JCK