Kerry ready for negotiations with Iran

US Secretary of State John Kerry said that Washington is ready for negotiations with Iran, if it takes concrete steps to abandon its nuclear program. He expressed this opinion at a press conference in Tokyo that took place after two plus two format talks with the participation of foreign and defense ministers of the United States and Japan, reported the Russian Itar-Tass news agency on Thursday. In late September, Kerry said the agreement on nuclear weapons with Tehran can be reached in less than 3-6 months, as previously said the country's President Hassan Rouhani. According to him, Iran needs to immediately take clear and convincing steps to fulfill the demands of the global community over its nuclear program, which should be peaceful", he stressed. As Kerry said in September, the Iranian authorities could open for inspection a secret facility in Fordou, to sign additional protocols to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and "voluntarily not to enrich uranium beyond a certain level." Kerry said that recent contacts with Iran were "encouraging" to resolve the issue, but words cannot replace deeds". "We need acts that will confirm that the (Iranian nuclear) program does not threaten us and our friends and allies in the region", US Secretary of State noted. With regard to sanctions against Iran, "the United States would not cancel them until a verifiable, reliable and transparent process with regard to its nuclear program is started and it becomes clear how the Iranians intend to continue implementing the program", Kerry said. "If that happens, then, of course," the sanctions could be lifted, head of the US State Department said.