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Iran and six world powers have successfully conducted their first 'constructive' talks over Iran's nuclear programme. Iran willingly discussed its nuclear ambitions when its representatives met the five permanent members of the Security Council and Germany in Istanbul on Saturday. Baroness Ashton, the European Union's high representative for foreign policy, said the session had been "constructive and useful". "We want now to move to a sustained process of serious dialogue where we can take urgent practical steps to build confidence," The Telegraph quoted Lady Ashton, as saying. Lady Ashton further said that, "subsequent meetings will lead to concrete steps". The paper quoted a diplomat involved in the talks, as saying that the key change in Istanbul was that Iran convinced the other side that it was prepared to "seriously engage" on the nuclear issue. The two sides are likely to meet again in Baghdad on May 23. According to the paper, the gap between Iran and its interlocutors remains as wide as ever, with Tehran insisting on its right to continue enriching uranium, a sensitive process that could be used to make the essential material for a nuclear weapon.

Iran, world powers conduct first 'constructive, useful' nuke talks