World powers, Iran conclude nuclear talks

Two days of talks between six world powers and Iran, aimed at persuading the Islamic Republic to rein in its nuclear programme, concluded on Saturday, a Western diplomat said.

European Union Foreign Policy chief Catherine Ashton, who led delegations from the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany was due to address a news conference. Her Iranian counterpart Saeed Jalili was also expected to hold a news conference.

The West suspects Iran plans to develop nuclear weapons while Tehran says its atomic energy programme is peaceful. The standoff has dragged on for eight years. There have been scant signs of progress during the talks.