Ban Ki-moon looks forward to Iranian nuclear talks

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UNITED NATIONS, April 20 (UPI) -- The U.N. Secretary-General expressed hope that nuclear talks with Iran in Baghdad would ally the concerns of the international community.

Multilateral talks in Turkey over Iran's nuclear ambitions were said to be productive. Tehran said another round of negotiations was scheduled for May 23 in Baghdad.

Iran is suspected of pursuing the technology needed to manufacture a nuclear weapon, an allegation the Iranian government denies.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the U.N. Security Council that it was important to find a comprehensive solution to Iran's nuclear issue.

"On Iran, the only acceptable outcome is a peaceful settlement that restores international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program, in conformity with the (Non-Proliferation Treaty)," he said in his statement. "I hope that the parties build upon this at their next meeting in Baghdad."

Ban commended members of the international community for dismantling parts of their nuclear arsenal but said more work was needed.

"Tens of thousands of nuclear weapons continue to threaten humanity," he said. "Billions of dollars are being spent to modernize them, despite pressing social needs and growing global expectations for progress in disarmament."