International Talks On Iran's Nuclear Program Face Further Delay

Workers at a nuclear power plant unit in Bushehr, Iran. Many in the West suspect Tehran's atomic programme is aimed at producing nuclear weapons.

Talks between six major powers and Iran over the country's nuclear program face further delay.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a European diplomat said on January 25 that the next round of talks are now more likely to take place in February rather than this month.

European Union diplomats and Iranian officials have been holding discussions for months on arranging a new round of talks.

But EU officials say Iran has been stalling on fixing a date and location.

The EU is brokering the talks on behalf of the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France, and Germany.

The talks are aimed at persuading Iran to halt nuclear activities, which the West suspects are aimed at producing nuclear weapons.

Iran says its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only.

The last round of talks was held in Moscow in June.

Based on reporting by Reuters and dpa