US STATE DEPT: The P-5+1 political directors discussed next steps in addressing international concerns about Iran’s pursuit of nuclear – of a nuclear weapons capability, and affirmed their unwavering commitment to a negotiated diplomatic solution to those concerns.
We, the United States, outlined the President’s and the Secretary’s goal on Iran, which is to explore diplomatic solutions to the very serious areas of concern. A diplomatic solution necessitates a willingness to engage directly with each other on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interest. We hope that the Government of Iran chooses to reciprocate.
On the nuclear issue, the U.S. remains committed to the P-5+1 process. What is different is that the U.S. will join P-5+1 discussions with Iran from now on. The P-5+1 has asked Dr. Javier Solana, EU High Representative for Common and Foreign Security Policy, to extend an invitation to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to meet with representatives of the P-5+1.
If Iran accepts, we hope this will be the occasion to seriously engage Iran on how to break the logjam of recent years and work in a cooperative manner to resolve the outstanding international concerns about its nuclear program. Any breakthrough will be the result of the collective efforts of all the parties, including Iran.
The P-5+1 strategy is a dual-track approach, as you all know. All P-5+1 members will be active in the engagement track. In addition, all will continue to hold Iran to international standards of conduct, including Iran’s compliance with its international nuclear obligations.
QUESTION: When you meet with the Iranian – well, if they come back to you and say, yes, we’d like to meet, do you plan to give them a new offer or an updated offer from the incentives package offered last June?
MR. WOOD: Well, that incentive package remains on the table. We hope that Iran will take up that package. But we’re certainly looking forward to engaging the Iranians in a discussion of their nuclear program. As I said, we will be – we will have a seat at the table from now on.
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