Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi o Sunday rejected the need of US presence in the Iran-Europe nuclear talks saying, "Tehran believes Washington's interference is one of the reasons behind talks becoming more complicated." Asefi was commenting on recent comments made by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohamed ElBaradei on the necessity of US presence in the talks.
"This is ElBaradei's personal viewpoint and talks with the United States is not on our agenda," he told domestic and foreign reporters, according to Irna.
Asked about the resumption of Iran-Europe talks, he said, "We have reached an agreement with the Europeans on holding talks at the level of senior experts but the exact time and venue have not been determined yet."
In response to a question on remarks made by the Russian and German foreign ministers as well as unconfirmed reports on an enrichment plan outside Iran, he stated, "We have not received such a plan. The Islamic Republic will not accept negotiations with preconditions. Our rights should be observed."
