DHAKA: Iran’s overtures to the West are being tested as the US and its partners sit down for the first talks on Teheran’s nuclear programme since the election of a reformist Iranian president.

Negotiations between Iran and the US, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany began on Tuesday morning at the main United Nations building in Geneva, reports The Straits Times.

The six want to test Teheran’s new style since the June election of president Hassan Rouhani but insist that it will take more than words to advance negotiations and end crippling international sanctions.

Iran has long insisted it does not want nuclear weapons and that its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful.

But Iranian officials from Rouhani down say their country is ready to meet some international demands to reduce its nuclear activities and build trust.

BDST: 1520 HRS, OCT 15, 2013
RoR/JCK