TEHRAN, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- A top Iranian official dealing with nuclear issues has ruled out meeting U.S. diplomats at a major security conference this week.
Ali Larijani, chairman of Iran's Security Council and his country's most senior negotiator on nuclear issues, has said he will attend the annual Munich Seucrity Conference starting Friday. But he ruled out holding any discussions with U.S. diplomats or other U.S. government officials attending the gathering, the RIA Novosti news agency reported Monday from Tehran.
"A source in the German chancellor's office said Sunday Chancellor Angela Merkel might meet with Iran's Security Council Chairman Ali Larijani on the sidelines of the conference in Munich Feb. 9-11. Germany holds the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union until July, and is also one of the six negotiators, along with the U.S., on Iran's nuclear program," RIA Novosti said.
But Larijani made clear he would not use the occasion to seek any meeting with U.S. officials to try and defuse the issue. "Yes, I will attend the conference, but will hold no negotiations with the Americans," he said.
However, Larijani held out the hope of making progress on resolving the issue peacefully during his trip to the three-day conference.
"There is a possibility of resolving Iran's nuclear issue through negotiations, and certainly consultations and talks can help the process," he said.
The Iranian official also said that a meeting with German leaders would be very helpful, RIA Novosti said.
