Western leaders suspect Iran is working covertly to
develop a nuclear weapon. Tehran says its atomic energy program is peaceful.
The two days of talks in Istanbul are a follow-up to talks last month in
Geneva, the first held in more than a year.
Impatient with what some analysts have called Iran's
zigzag diplomacy, the powers are looking for a clear sign from Tehran that it
is ready to engage in a way that helps engender trust, even if there is no
substantive progress.
Iran's National Security Council issued a statement,
quoted by Iranian television, saying the first session of talks on Friday was
held in a "positive atmosphere.” Iran's nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili is
the council's secretary-general.
One of Jalili's aides in Istanbul drew a red line round
its enrichment activities during the meeting. "We will not allow any talks
linked to freezing or suspending Iran's enrichment activities to be discussed
at the meeting in Istanbul," Abolfazl Zohrevand said.
"So far this issue has not been discussed, has not
been raised or mentioned by the other party," Zohrevand said. "Iran's
nuclear rights cannot be discussed."
