The foreign minister in Iran wants to take a more phased-in approach to discussing the nation’s nuclear development program and reaching compromise with the international community.
Specifically, foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif suggested on Iran’s state-run television that Tehran ought to adopt a “phased action” approach with the world’s six major powers, defined as the five permanent U.S. Security Council countries, as well as Germany, The Associated Press reported.
Mr. Zarif’s statements come just as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is poised to meet with him in New York. The Thursday meeting, which will include other heads of nations, is aimed at jump-starting new nuclear talks with Iran.
Mr. Zarif didn’t explain what “phase action” meant, but political analysts say he likely means that the West should remove sanctions if Iran agrees to slowly decrease its uranium-enrichment production, the AP reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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