Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Saeed Jalili on Tuesday said that Iran’s package of nuclear proposals has been finalized and would be presented to Group 5+1.
“The updated package includes political, economic and security proposals along with issues of international concern,“ he told a press meeting, alalam.ir reported. He did not provide details.
The top security official expressed hope that in the new round of negotiations with the so-called G5+1 an agreement would be reached on understanding and cooperation.
Jalili referred to the delays in the negotiations between Iran and six powers and noted, “Subsequent to the presentation of Iran’s previous proposals, one round of talks was held in Geneva. The delays emerged largely due to some problems among the main parties to the negotiations, including the conflict in Georgia, the global economic crisis, US presidential electionÉ“

Cause of Delays
He also said, “At the beginning of the Iranian year (started in March 21) they proposed that the negotiations continue. But this was postponed due to the presidential elections in Iran. Given that one year has passed since presentation of the last proposals, it was necessary that the package be updated before presenting it to G5+1.“
Russia, the US, Britain, China and France, which are permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany are members of the G5+1 that seeks to address Iran’s nuclear issue.
The six states are meeting in Frankfurt on Wednesday to discuss new ways to deal with Iran and its nuclear issue. G5+1 has demanded a halt to Iran’s uranium enrichment, which they believe is aimed at building a nuclear bomb.
Tehran has said it is not interested in nuclear weapons and has instead proposed that all weapons of mass destruction in the world be destroyed.
US President Barack Obama had earlier declared that western powers would give Iran until September to resume talks on its much-debated nuclear program.
Earlier on Friday, the UN nuclear watchdog issued a new report confirming that Iran is improving its cooperation with the agency and that the agency had been able to continue “to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material“ in the country.
“Iran has cooperated with the agency in improving safeguards measures at FEP [Fuel Enrichment Plant] at Natanz,“ the report said.
While Iran is already under three rounds of UN Security Council sanctions resolutions for its nuclear work, the G5+1 is mulling tougher sanctions against the country if it does not reverse its civilian nuclear program.

Iran will start exporting natural gas to Pakistan from 2013, after the neighbors finally agreed on Monday to build a $7.6 billion pipeline.
Construction of the so-called Peace Pipeline, which may be extended to India, will begin next year, IRIB reported, citing negotiations in Islamabad. The link will be able to export 30 million cubic meters of gas a day to Pakistan.
If India joins the project, the pipeline would be longer than 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles). The project has been delayed more than a decade because of political and security concerns as Pakistan fights Taliban militants in its northwest.
Quoting officials of the petroleum ministry in Islamabad, Online news agency reported that the feasibility report and other technical matters were discussed during the meeting on Monday.
During the talks, the Pakistani delegation was of the view that completion of the project within the quickest possible time was very important for that country as the gas supplied from Iran would help to meet the country’s energy needs for the next four years.
Indian Concerns
Iran is keen on India coming on board but New Delhi has expressed concerns on issues relating to security, cost and pricing.
Iran, which has the world’s second-largest natural-gas reserves after Russia, is in talks to export gas through the pipeline from its South Pars field, which extends from Qatar’s North Field to form the largest known gas deposit in the world.
Tensions between India and Pakistan, which have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947, have delayed the project.
Pakistan and Iran have said they will go ahead with the project even if India doesn’t participate.
Pakistan--facing an energy crisis--plans to generate 4,600 megawatts of electricity with Iranian natural gas.
While Pakistan has been facing electricity shortage of more than 3,000 megawatts leading to frequent and long blackouts in the country, it has been under pressure from Washington to abandon the deal.

Majlis resumed debate on Tuesday for the third day on the eligibility of 11 of the 21 ministers proposed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The lawmakers began the debate by reviewing the credentials of Marzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi -- Ahmadinejad’s choice for the sensitive health portfolio, Presstv reported.
Vahid-Dastjerdi is one of three woman nominees for the top posts.
Tehran lawmaker Alireza Marandi, speaking in her favor, expressed confidence that Vahid-Dastjerdi would be successful in her tasks.
“Justice in health issues is one of her major plans,“ said Marandi, himself a former health minister.
However the lawmaker from Khoi city, Moayyed Hosseini Sadr, raised questions about Dastjerdi’s competency.
“Some problems in the health sector have not been included in plans presented by the proposed minister,“ he complained.
Despite strong opposition to Ahmadinejad’s decision to include three female ministers in his team, it is believed that Dastjerdi would win the trust vote in the chamber.
During the Tuesday debate none of the lawmakers opposed the nominees for the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad (Sadeq Khalilian), Ministry of Justice (Morteza Bakhtiari) and Defense Ministry (Ahmad Vahidi).

Support for Vahidi
The lawmakers unanimously backed Vahidi after reviewing his plans for the key defense sector, IRNA said.
Vahidi highlighted the future strategy of the country’s defenses with special focus on missile capabilities.
“Iran has acquired enough power and ability in the military and defense sectors,“ he told the chamber.
Vahidi also strongly condemned Israel “as the ugliest regime in the world.“ Argentina last month protested Ahmadinejad’s decision to nominate Vahidi for the defense job.
Vahidi is wanted by the International Police Organization ( Interpol) in connection with a bombing targeting the Argentine- Israel Mutual Association in Buenos Aires in 1994, which left 85 people dead and about 300 wounded.
Interpol issued a warrant for Vahidi’s arrest in November 2007.
However, Iran denounced Argentina for meddling in its internal affairs.
Ahmadinejad submitted his final list for the 21 ministries on August 19. Almost two-thirds of his nominees are newcomers.
Debates on the president’s Cabinet began on Sunday with hot discussions by lawmakers speaking for and against the nominees.
As per law, the nominees must win Parliament’s vote of confidence before settling in the job.
Majlis is scheduled to complete the vetting procedure on Wednesday or Thursday.