TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Iran's president confirmed Thursday that the foreign ministry will lead nuclear talks with world powers in a shift away from security officials setting Tehran's strategies for the critical negotiations.
The report on the website of President Hasan Rouhani's office gave the official stamp on a policy change first indicated last month after Rouhani's inauguration.
Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, a Western-educated diplomat, said members of Iran's nuclear negotiating team have been selected, according to Tasnim, an Iranian news website. Zarif did not name the members of the team but said they are experts with extensive experience.
Zarif also said the next round of nuclear talks between Iran and world powers will be held after the September U.N. General Assembly. He did not give a date or place for the talks but said he will meet with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine on the sidelines of the assembly.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council was previously in charge of nuclear dialogue with the U.S. and other nations. The talks have been on hold for months after deadlocks over Western efforts to rein in Iran's nuclear program.
