Iran Welcomes Nuclear Dialogue With World Powers

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana left) and Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili

TEHRAN (Reuters) -- Iran's chief nuclear negotiator has told European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana that Tehran would welcome constructive dialogue with six world powers, state television reported.

Iran's Saeed Jalili talked with Solana over the telephone, according to the state television report.

Last week, the United States and five other major powers said they would invite Tehran to a meeting to discuss its disputed nuclear program.

In their conversation, Solana called for the continuation of talks between the two sides aimed at a new era of cooperation, the Iranian television report said, without saying when it took place.

Jalili "welcomed dialogue between Iran and the six countries on constructive cooperation.... He emphasized the necessity of correct understanding of international realities and developments," it said.

He also said Iran would issue an official statement in response to the six powers' statement, the television report added.