Iran, world powers to begin nuclear summit in Istanbul

The second round of talks between Iran and the P5+1 group (5 permanent members of the UN Security Council – China, France, Russia, Britain and the US – plus Germany) on Iran's nuclear program will begin in Istanbul today. The summit will last for two days. European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton heads the P5+1 delegation and Saeed Jalili, the present secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, heads the Iranian delegation. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu reiterated that Turkey is just hosting the summit and does not have a mediating role, but added that it could serve this role if the parties request it. Davutoglu also yesterday hosted a dinner at Istanbul's Dolmabahce Palace in the honor of the P5+1 group, Iran and the European Union. In addition to Ashton and Jalili, also attending the dinner were US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns. The Istanbul meeting will be the first time the US and Iran have sat at the same table to discuss the nuclear dispute.