European Union and Iranian officials meet today to discuss the nuclear standoff over Tehran’s nuclear programme but neither party is talking up the possibilities of a breakthrough. However, Iran’s lead negotiator Ali Larijani insists progress is being made.

“Of course, since we have had some talks we have come a long way relatively with Mr Solana, and we basically understand each other’s principles of thinking,” he said.

The talks will take place in Madrid with the EU’s foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who on Wednesday was in Potsdam for pre-G8 summit talks. The UN Security Council deadline for Iran to halt uranium enrichment expired last week. Two sets of UN sanctions against Tehran are currently in place and there is a threat of more if Iran refuses to comply.

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