Top Iranian Nuclear Negotiator Headed To Turkey

Larijani is expected to discuss his country's nuclear program with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, and Yigit Alpogan, head of the National Security Council.

Larijani has recently visited Russia and China to discuss Iran's nuclear energy program. His trip comes as the United States is pushing to isolate Iran if it does not stop uranium enrichment. Washington believes Tehran seeks nuclear weapons -- something which Iran denies.

Meanwhile, Larijani said in Tehran today that the start-up date for Iran's first civilian nuclear power plant at Bushehr would probably not be until spring 2007. Bushehr had been expected to come on line this year.

(Reuters, AP)