Iran, world powers to hold nuclear talks on Oct.1

Iran and the six negotiating powers will meet next month for the first time in more than a year, to reduce tensions over Tehran's refusal to curb its nuclear activities.

The meeting is scheduled for October 1st. Javier Solana, the EU's foreign policy chief, will have a formal meeting with Iranian nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili. Representatives of the six negotiating powers are also expected to be present during the talks. The United States set the tone during Monday's opening of the general conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna.

Steven Chu, U.S. Energy Secretary, said, "As decades of experience  have shown countries with peaceful activities and ambitions have  nothing to fear from safeguards. However, countries that violate  their international obligations must face serious consequences,  both here and at the UN Security Council."

Steven Chu, U.S. Energy Secretary, said, "As decades of experience have shown countries with peaceful activities and ambitions have nothing to fear from safeguards. However, countries that violate their international obligations must face serious consequences, both here and at the UN Security Council."

Tehran says it is ready to defend itself militarily.

Ali Akhbar Salehi, Iranian Nuclear Negotiator, said, "Such a vigilant nation, while taking every threat seriously, is in the meantime confident of its capacity to defend itself."

Iran is now under three sets of Security Council sanctions - primarily for its refusal to suspend its enrichment program.

The IAEA Director General Designate, Yukiya Amano, says that after six years of probing by the agency, it hasn't led it to conclude that "the activities of Iran has been and is exclusive for peaceful purposes".