Iran and the G-8
July 11, 2009
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said the statement by the world leaders at the G-8 summit in L'Aguila, Italy had contained "no new message."
But he added that Tehran would "act on it accordingly" if that were to change.
The declaration from from G-8 said there was "serious concern" among the world's most powerful countries at the way the Iranian republic cracked down on opposition followers protesting the outcome of June elections.
Leaders also called for a negotiated resolution of the standoff over Iran's nuclear program, naming the G-20 summit in September as the deadline.
Patience won't last forever
US President Barack Obama said that although the G-8 were willing to provide Tehran with the time to find a solution, there was a limit to their patience.
"We also say we're not going to just wait indefinitely and allow for the development of the nuclear weapon, the breach of international treaties and wake up one day and find ourselves in a much worse situation and unable to act."
Tehran has repeatedly rejected claims that it has plans to make atomic weapons, insisting instead that its nuclear program is purely in pursuit of energy.
Taking a clear stance
But Obama said he hoped the leadership in Iran would look at the statement and realize that world opinion was clear.
"The international community has said: 'Here's a door, you can walk through. That allows you to lessen tensions and more fully join the international community'."
On Saturday, Foreign Minister Mottaki said that Iran was preparing a new package of issues to put to the West.
"The package can be a good basis for talks with the West," he told reporters at a news conference, adding that it would contain "Iran's stances on political, security and international issues."
The P5-plus-1 group, comprising the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, plus Germany, has given EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana the go-ahead to hold talks with Iran over its nuclear program.
tkw/AFP/dpa/reuters
Editor: Kyle James