Special report: Iran Nuclear Crisis

    BERLIN, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The talks between Iranian and European Union (EU) envoys here had achieved some progress, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Thursday.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani (R) and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana talk in Berlin prior to talks about Iran's disputed nuclear program, Sept. 27, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani and Solana continued their talks on Thursday after their initial discussions had achieved no results on Wednesday night.

    Speaking to reporters after a second round on Thursday morning, Larijani made a similar comment, saying that all the topics had been discussed and there had been "some positive outcomes."

    However, neither of them gave any further details.

    "We hope to be able to embark on the main negotiations as soon as possible," Larijani said.

    Larijani is also expected to meet German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier later in the day.

    "This meeting forms part of our effort to find a diplomatic solution in the conflict over Iran's nuclear program," said German Foreign Office spokesman Martin Jaeger earlier on Wednesday.

    The talks between the two have been regarded as a last chance for Iran to agree to a suspension of its uranium enrichment activities.

    In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had a telephone call with Solana before the meeting started.

    "Obviously, if we can come out of this with an Iranian decision to suspend its enrichment and reprocessing activities, completely and verifiably, then we would be on course for negotiations and that is the course we would all like to pursue," she told reporters.

    "But I did wish Javier Solana luck and we are all awaiting the outcome of his discussion," she added.

    If the talks should fail, Iran may face sanctions from the UN Security Council.

    The five permanent Security Council members plus Germany had previously urged Iran to accept a package of incentives for halting its enrichment activities.

    However, the demand was rejected by Iran. In Tehran, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a seminar on Wednesday that Iran would "not back down" on its nuclear rights.

    "They want to use suspension (as a measure) for propaganda, then tell the whole world that Iran was forced by them to accept suspension," the president was quoted as saying.

    "They are making a mistake and the Iranian nation will not back down on its rights," he asserted. Enditem

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, front right, and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, front left, are seen in Berlin prior to talks about Iran's disputed nuclear program, Sept. 27, 2006.(Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

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    Ahmadinejad pledges not to bend on nuclear program

    TEHRAN, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pledged on Thursday that his country "would not bend one inch" on its nuclear program, the state television reported.

    "The Iranian people will not back one inch under any force and pressure," Ahmadinejad told thousands of supporters in the city of Karaj, west of Tehran. Full story >>