EU's Ashton accepts Iranian offer of nuclear talks

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton wrote to Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Tuesday, accepting an offer to meet to discuss Tehran's nuclear program.

Ashton represents six powers - the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany - in dealings with Iran, and her offer of talks came after weeks of consultations with them.

It follows the expansion of sanctions by Europe and the United States to exert economic pressure and force Tehran to hold back on its nuclear program, which they fear aims to produce atomic weapons. Iran says it is enriching uranium for peaceful purposes only.

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