Iran wants nuclear talks to be held in Istanbul

UN Security Council will hold nuclear negotiations with Iran in Istanbul. Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has officially said talks between Iran and six world powers (P5+1) on the country's nuclear program would be held in Istanbul. 'We are going into hold the talks with a positive outlook and goodwill. We are waiting for that date," Salehi said. Turkey seems to have a role as the 'facilitating host". Turkey's effort aimed at solving the dispute on Iran's nuclear program by peaceful dialogue rather than military means has yielded result this year again. Iran officially announced yesterday that it would sit at the table with five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany. Turkey's continuous diplomacy to ease tension between Western powers and Iran has reached its goal amid escalating distrust between the parties with EU's decision to impose economic sanctions on Tehran and crisis of Strait of Hormuz. 'We favored Istanbul as the venue for the talks and the other side approached the proposal positively," Salehi said. 'We are going into the talks with a positive outlook and hope the other side will come to the negotiations with goodwill," Salehi said, adding that his counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu was ready to host nuclear talks as well. The date for the meeting will be determined following a confirmation by the EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.