Ahead of the P5+1 talks with Iran in Almaty over its controversial nuclear programme, the US is “cautiously optimistic” on the results of the conference, with senior administration officials saying that the ball is in Tehran’s court to convince the international community.

P5+1 represents the five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council — the US, Britain, China, Russia, France (P5) and Germany — which are holding their second talks with Iranian officials in Almaty in less than two months.

The first round was held on February 26-27 and the current round will be held on April 5-6.

“There are a number of ways that Almaty 2 could play out, but we certainly hope that what the Iranians have characterised as positive will produce concrete results,” a senior US Administration official told reporters yesterday.

EU High Representative Lady Ashton said early today that, as she always is, she is cautiously optimistic, but she also said that, to quote her, “I am also very clear that it is very important that we do get a response from Iran.”

So as she always is cautiously optimistic, but the onus is really on Iran to respond to the proposal and tell us where they stand, the official said.

As long as Iran does not take concrete steps to address the concerns of the international community about its nuclear programme, the dual-track process continues. And that pressure only will increase if Iran does not begin to take concrete steps and concrete actions, he said.

Sanctions as well as the isolation Iran has created for itself continue to have their effect, and oil importers have continued to make reductions. Iranians themselves, as you might have seen on Monday, have acknowledged some of the pain that they are facing, the official said.

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