Iran's foreign minister has indicated his country is ready to resume talks on its nuclear program.
Ali Akbar Salehi says he agrees on the need to begin talks on the nuclear issue, but that Iran would not be pressured. His remarks came Wednesday during a news conference in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Last month, Russia proposed a "step-by-step" plan designed to restart talks between Tehran and six world powers. The plan calls for Iran to address concerns about its nuclear program, and be rewarded with a gradual easing of U.N. sanctions.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has said Tehran did not cooperate with its investigation of Western allegations that Iran is trying to produce nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Talks earlier this year between Iran and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - plus Germany, did not make progress.
On Tuesday, Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili said Russia's plan could be a "basis" for restarting the talks.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
