Iran says it will restart international nuclear talks this month

NEW DELHI - Iran's top nuclear negotiator says his country has agreed in principle to resume international talks about its nuclear program this month.

Iran has been hit by punitive sanctions imposed by Western countries concerned that Tehran is pursuing nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Saeed Jalili said in New Delhi on Friday that Iran's government has agreed to hold new nuclear talks this month with the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany. He said the date and venue had not yet been finalized.

The last round of talks between the group of negotiators ended in a stalemate in Moscow in June.