Statement by Robert Wood, Deputy Spokesman, Department of State
“On the margins of today’s P5+1 meeting with Iran in Geneva’s Villa Le Saugy, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Bill Burns met with Iranian Head of Delegation Said Jalili, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council on National Security. U/S Burns used this encounter to directly amplify the P5+1 position and to reiterate the international community’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear program. He addressed the need for Iran to take concrete and practical steps that are consistent with its international obligations and that will build international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its program. The U/S made clear that Iran has rights but with those rights come responsibilities, and that this is not about singling out Iran or holding it to a different standard. While the focus of the discussion was on Iran’s nuclear program, both sides had a frank exchange on other issues, including human rights. No other details are being provided given the confidential nature of this diplomatic exchange.”