Iran: UN talks signal 'new era' on nuclear impasse

[September 24, 2013]  TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran's foreign ministry says a planned meeting this week at the United Nations to discuss restarting nuclear talks signals the beginning of a "new era" in relations with the West.

The comments Tuesday come as Iran's new president, Hasan Rouhani, is leadings the country's delegation at the annual U.N. General Assembly in New York.

Iran's foreign minister is expected to meet on Thursday with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and counterparts from the other permanent Security Council members plus Germany to discuss possibly reviving stalled negotiations over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

In Tehran, foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham described the upcoming meeting as the "beginning for nuclear talks in the new era."

The West suspects Iran is seeking a nuclear weapon. Iran denies the charge.

[Associated Press]

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