Russia, Iran Renew Nuclear Talks

Iran’s top nuclear negotiator met in Moscow with Russian officials Friday, but talks produced no lessening of tensions over the Iranian nuclear program.

Ali Larijani, head of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, dismissed suspicions that his country has nuclear weapons ambitions. He said Iran is ready for U.N. inspectors, Novosti reported.

There is no place for nuclear weapons in our defense doctrine, Larijani said. We want to use our rights in the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. We are ready for talks.

Larijani met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and held five-hour talks with Igor Ivanov, the Russian Security Council head. Talks will continue, Novosti said.