Iran says 5+1 must take ‘practical steps’ for building trust

Tehran Times Political Desk

TEHRAN – A senior Iranian lawmaker, Alaeddin Borujerdi, insisted on Wednesday that now it is the turn of the 5+1 group (five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) to take practical steps for building confidence.

“5+1 group should take practical steps to change the atmosphere and build confidence,” Borujerdi told British ambassador to Tehran Jeffrey Adams.  Borujerdi, who is the head of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said economic sanctions on Tehran have made Iranians more determined to use advanced technologies in different spheres.  Jeffrey Adams said dialogue is the only solution to the nuclear standoff between Iran and the West, adding that his country has always defended nuclear talks between Iran and the West.   Elsewhere in his talks with the ambassador, Borujerdi pointed to Britain’s obligation in curbing opium cultivation in Afghanistan, saying, “There is an important question that why the production of drugs have quadrupled since the presence of foreign forces in this country.”  The ambassador cited joint campaign against drug smuggling in Afghanistan as a key starting point for cooperation.   Jeffrey Adams also said Britain seeks a “good relationship” with Iran in the future.  Borujerdi also said, “The public opinion in home and abroad expect major changes in new U.S. administration in different areas.