Russia supports gradual advancement in Iran nuclear talks

The international community should advance gradually in talks with Iran over its controversial nuclear program, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Monday. "We used to and will (continue to) support Iran's full right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, if the trust in the peaceful nature of its nuclear program will be restored," Ryabkov said in a statement posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website. Meanwhile, there was no unconditional trust in the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program, noted the senior diplomat. Moscow believes that the international mediators must go forward " gradually, step by step" on the basis of mutual consent, he added. "We want the next round of talks (between the 5+1 group, or the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, and Iran) to start as soon as possible," Ryabkov said. "Our hopes are connected to the fact that the sides have already passed a long way, done enormous work and there is a chance to make the next step," Ryabkov said. In mid-May, Iran's chief negotiator Saeed Jalili said that Tehran was ready to start a fresh round of nuclear talks with world powers before or after the country's presidential election due in June.