MOSCOW, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- No agreement has been reached on the next round of nuclear talks between six international mediators and Iran, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Thursday.
According to the Russian diplomat, the date and venue of the meeting have not been agreed.
Iranian media reported Wednesday the new round of talks would be held on Jan. 28-29, adding the venue had not yet been agreed.
However, Ryabkov told Itar-Tass news agency Thursday: "If no agreement is reached about the venue, it is quite possible that this date will be changed. And there is no agreement about the venue so far."
He said Russia was worried about the pause in the talks and would continue its efforts to settle the issue with other relevant parties as soon as possible.
It has been five months since the last round, in Moscow, and, according to Ryabkov, Iran and the P5+1 (the UN Security Council's five permanent members -- the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China -- plus Germany) still have not reached agreement on the schedule of new talks.
The parties have held several rounds of talks over Iran's controversial nuclear program, but no agreement has been reached so far. Both sides are currently in contact on the talks.
Iran believes lifting sanctions is a primary step for the success of Iran's future nuclear talks with the P5+1. It has reiterated its right to nuclear enrichment for civilian purposes should be recognized by the world powers.
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