Iran Questions World Powers' Readiness For Talks

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad said Western powers were "looking for excuses" and trying to "waste time" by refusing to engage in preparatory talks with Iran.

Iran has questioned whether world powers are prepared for negotiations over its disputed nuclear program at talks set for later this week in Moscow.

On June 6, Tehran accused the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear watchdog, of behaving like a Western-manipulated intelligence agency.

Iranian media reported that Tehran's chief nuclear negotiator, Said Jalili, has twice asked Britain, France, Russia, China, the United States, and Germany to agree to advance meetings before the June 18 talks, but has not received a response.

Also on June 6, Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad said Western powers were "looking for excuses" and trying to "waste time" by refusing to engage in preparatory talks with Iran.

Western diplomats often accuse Tehran of trying to buy time for its nuclear activities by focusing on process rather than substance during talks, without real intention of making any concrete concessions.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP