Iran FM Hopeful on Next Round of Nuclear Talks

Iran's foreign minister says he is hopeful ahead of next week's negotiations with world powers and reiterated Tehran's demand for recognition of what it calls its "nuclear rights."

Talks between world powers and Iran are set to resume on Wednesday in Geneva after failing to strike an accord last weekend.

Both Iran and the United States have blamed each other for the failure to reach agreement to limit Tehran's uranium enrichment in exchange for an easing of Western sanctions.

Mohammad Javad Zarif says in comments carried by the semi-official Fars news agency on Friday that there is no chance for the upcoming round of talks to succeed if the West ignores Iran's demand for formal recognition of its right to enrich uranium.

Iran denies it's pursuing a nuclear weapon.