Iran's nuclear program subject of talks

SHANGHAI, April 16 (UPI) -- Representatives of countries mediating the Iranian nuclear dispute met in Shanghai Wednesday to discuss ways to induce Iran to suspend its program.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said diplomats from the five permanent U.N. Security Council members -- Russia, China, France, Britain and the United States -- plus Germany would consider economic, security and technological options to persuade Iran to resume talks about its nuclear capabilities, Novosti, the Russian information agency, reported.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini called on the representatives to "understand realities and make correct decisions" regarding Iran's nuclear program, said Press TV, based in Tehran.

The international community has demanded Tehran cease its program of uranium enrichment, used to generate electricity and in nuclear weapons production. Iran insists it has the right to develop civilian nuclear energy, defying three sets of United Nations sanctions.

On Monday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said other nations can access Iran's nuclear technology within the framework of International Atomic Energy Agency regulations, reported Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency.

Ahmadinejad earlier announced plans to install 6,000 new centrifuges in the Natanz nuclear facility before the end of the year.