NEW YORK, September 24 (RIA Novosti) - The six international powers negotiating with Iran over its nuclear program expect a "serious response" from Tehran during the October 1 meeting in Geneva, the group said on Thursday.
Envoys of Russia, Britain, China, France, Germany, and the U.S. met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to discuss Iran's controversial nuclear program.
"We expect a serious response from Iran and will decide, in the context of our dual track approach, as a result of the meeting, on our next steps," British Foreign Minister David Miliband said, reading a statement agreed by the six nations.
Iran has been under pressure to halt uranium enrichment, which can be used both for electricity generation and weapons production. Tehran has repeatedly rejected the demand, insisting it is pursuing a purely civilian program.
"Iran's nuclear program remains a matter of serious concern to the international community," the statement said.
The six powers also called on Iran to "cooperate further with the IAEA to resolve the remaining issues which need to be clarified to exclude the possibility of military dimensions to Iran's nuclear program."
U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said after the meeting that all the sides came to an agreement that Iran's refusal to cooperate with the negotiators should have consequences for the Islamic republic.
"The ministers expressed a clear expectation that Iran should come to the talks on October 1, ready to engage in serious and substantive discussions with a sense of urgency and a review of the practical steps that need to be taken on the nuclear issue, and that we will decide next steps on the basis of the meeting's outcome," she said.
She added that the U.S. was committed to the dual-track approach of negotiating with Iran and considering sanctions.
"No one should underestimate our intention to follow through on either or both of these tracks," she said. "It depends on Iran's response."
