Russia expresses guarded optimism after Iran nuclear talks

SUKHUMI, October 2 (RIA Novosti) - Moscow is cautiously optimistic about the results of Geneva talks on Iran's nuclear program, Russia's foreign minister said on Friday.

"The results inspire cautious optimism," Sergei Lavrov said.

"The main agreement is that Iran will allow IAEA inspectors access to the enrichment facility in Qom in the near future," he said.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, met on Thursday in Switzerland with officials from the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany to discuss international concerns over Iran's nuclear program.

The meeting with the 'Iran Six' came shortly after news of the second Iranian uranium enrichment site had led to calls for harsher sanctions against Tehran.

Lavrov also said the next round of talks would be held later this month.

Western powers suspect Iran of attempting to build nuclear weapons, but Tehran says its nuclear program is aimed at generating nuclear energy for civilian purposes.