EU's Ashton Wants Iran Talks Soon, Nuclear Focus

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Said Jalili, wrote to Ashton on July 6 calling for an unconditional resumption of talks.

The European Union has suggested that stalled talks between Iran and world powers should begin again as quickly as possible.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said that talks must focus exclusively on Tehran's nuclear program.

Many in the West suspect Iran intends to use enriched uranium for nuclear weapons, while Iran says its uranium-enrichment program and other activities are aimed at peaceful energy generation.

Talks between Iran and the P5+1 group -- the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China -- as well as Germany, stalled in October, leading to a toughening of international sanctions.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Said Jalili, wrote to Ashton on July 6 calling for an unconditional resumption of talks.

compiled from Reuters reports