Iran's UN Envoy Says Obama Policy On Engagement Has Failed

Iranian Ambassador to the UN Mohammad Khazai (file photo)

Iran's UN ambassador has accused U.S. President Barack Obama of failing to live up to his promise made two years ago to engage with Iran.

Mohammad Khazai said Obama is repeating some of the mistakes of his predecessor, George W. Bush.

Khazai also said his country wanted to be treated fairly and with respect at talks later this week in Istanbul between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN plus Germany.

Khazai said he hoped the talks would establish a "road map for future negotiations" aimed at resolving Tehran's nuclear standoff with the West.

Tehran recently let selected foreign envoys into several of its nuclear facilities in a move detractors said appeared designed to divide international opinion on Iran's nuclear aims, which have already prompted four rounds of UN sanctions.

compiled from Reuters and RFE/RL reports