Clinton Welcomes Iran’s Participation in Nuclear Talks

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said today in Bahrain welcomed Iran’s agreement to resume talks with the US, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany over its nuclear program after a year of impasse. During the year, the UN, US and EU brought severe economic sanctions against Iran.

"Perhaps the Iranians, with their return to the talks in Geneva starting Monday, will engage seriously with the international community on what is a concern shared by nations on every continent but most particularly here in the region," Clinton said.

Clinton’s host, Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheik Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said the Middle East “can never live with” a nuclear-armed Iran.

"When it comes to taking that power (peaceful nuclear program) to developing into a cycle for weapon-grade, that is something that we can never accept and we can never live with in this region," Sheik Khalid said. "We've said it to Iran and we've heard it from all."

A WikiLeaks cable had also shown that Bahrain’s King Hamad argued “forcefully” for “taking action to terminate their (Iran's) nuclear program, by whatever means necessary. That program must be stopped. The danger of letting it go on is greater than the danger of stopping it."

Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

Clinton is in Bahrain to attend an international security conference where Iran’s nuclear program is expected to be a major topic of discussion.

Source: AP