Special Report: Iran Nuclear Crisis

·Obama's offer to talk directly with Tehran over its nuclear program was hailed.

·The six countries will "consult on the next steps...,"

·Iran was urged to "cooperate fully" with UN's International Atomic Energy Agency.

    BERLIN, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- The diplomats from the UN Security Council's five permanent members and Germany Wednesday issued a joint statement, saying the parties welcomed the offer by U.S President Barack Obama to talk directly with Tehran over its nuclear program and the dispute should be resolved diplomatically.

    The delegations of the six countries, including Britain, China, France, Russian, the U.S. and Germany held a meeting Wednesday in Wiesbaden, near German city Frankfurt to discuss Iran's nuclear issue.

    The six countries will "consult on the next steps as the U.S. administration undertakes a policy review," said the joint statement, and urged Iran to "cooperate fully" with the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency.

    The gathering had been scheduled before Iran late Monday successfully launched a satellite into orbit. The launch has caused concern amongst analysts and government officials in Europe, the U.S. and Israel that Iran may link its satellite programs and its work with missiles and nuclear technology.

    The six countries have offered Tehran a package of economic and energy incentives in exchange for the halting of its uranium enrichment program.

    The U.S. and its allies allege that Iran is using the program as a cover to develop nuclear weapons. At the same time, the Security Council has imposed sanctions to pressure Iran to comply.

    Iran insists it is only seeking nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

Six-nation talk on Iran's nuclear issue starts in Germany

    BERLIN, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- Diplomats representing the U.N. Security Council's five permanent members and Germany met Wednesday to discuss Iran's nuclear issue.

    None of the six countries involved, which also included Britain, China, France, Russia, and the U.S., has commented on the specific goals of Wednesday's meeting.  Full story

White House: U.S. to use all elements of its power to deal with Iran

The Safir (ambassador) satellite-carrier rocket, carrying Iran's Omid 2 (hope) satellite, is launched at an unknown location in Iran in this handout picture sent to Reuters by Iranian Fars News February 3, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Obama administration views Iran's efforts to develop nuclear capability and to sponsor terrorism as "acute concern," and will use all elements of the national power to deal with Tehran, said the White House on Tuesday.

    "Efforts to develop missile delivery capability, efforts that continue on an illicit nuclear program, or threats that Iran makes toward Israel, and its sponsorship of terror are of acute concern to this administration," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters at the daily press briefing.  Full story

Iran rules out talks with U.S. at Munich conference

    TEHRAN, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Parliament (Majlis) Speaker Ali Larijani said on Monday that Iran would not hold talks with the United States at the upcoming Munich conference, the official IRNA news agency reported.

    Speaking at a press conference in Tehran, Larijani said he "will not hold talks with the U.S. officials on the sidelines of Munich security conference," adding that, "the objectives of Munich security conference are clear and there is no scope for talks with U.S. delegation."   Full story

Clinton eyes closer cooperation with Britain on Iran's nuclear project

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Obama administration will work closely with the British government to make Iran a responsible member of the international community, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday.

    "We view Iran as a challenge; and it is one that is not directed solely at the United States or even at our European allies, but indeed, the larger region and the world," Clinton said after her meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband.  Full story

U.S. voices concern over Iran satellite launch

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The United States expressed on Tuesday its great concern over reports that Iran launched its first home-built satellite into orbit.

    The launch could "possibly lead to the development of ballistic missiles," State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters at the daily press briefing. Full story

Iran says U.S. has no choice, but change

    TEHRAN, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Iran's government spokesman Gholam-Hossein Elham on Saturday urged the United States to change its policy towards Iran and the world, saying the country has no choice.

    Responding to the U.S. offer of direct talks between Iran and the United States, Elham said that "there remains no choice for the United States but change, and this change is determined to be done," Iran's Mehr news agency reported. Full story