Iran's top nuclear negotiator flies to Spain

Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani today arrived in the Spanish capital Madrid for talks with Spain’s leaders, the IRNA official news agency said.

The report said Larijani, after visiting Madrid, will go to Italy and then to Vienna, Austria, for talks with the European Union’s foreign policy supremo Javier Solana.

No date was given for the EU-Iranian talks on Iran’s disputed nuclear programme.

Iran yesterday postponed a tentative meeting in Vienna between Larijani and Solana to discuss the nuclear controversy – a step that seemed to dim prospects the country will make concessions.

The United States has said it will push for UN sanctions because of Iran’s refusal to suspend uranium enrichment as the UN had demanded.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful energy uses only but the United States and some European nations believe the regime seeks nuclear weapons.

In Madrid, Larijani will meet Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, IRNA said.