Report: Iran's nuclear negotiator resigns

TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, has resigned from his post, state-run news agency IRNA quoted a government spokesman as saying on Saturday.

Larijani's position as secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council gave him the responsibility of representing his country in talks with the international community concerning Iran's controversial nuclear program.

Although Larijani held a hardline view on the nuclear standoff between Iran and the West, analysts say he was a more moderate figure than President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Saeed Jalili, Iran's deputy foreign minister, "would probably replace" Larijani, IRNA reported.

According to The Associated Press, Larijani's resignation is being interpreted by many in Iran as giving Ahmadinejad a free hand in dictating his views to the less experienced Jalili.

Former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton told AP that Larijani's resignation was "a clear victory for Ahmadinejad" and showed that "the leadership is determined to continue with the nuclear program."

Speaking at a weekly press briefing, spokesman Gholam-Hossein Elham said Larijani had resigned for "personal reasons."

He did not provide more details, but he did underscore that Larijani's resignation would not signal a shift in Iranian policies.

"Mr. Larijani resigned for personal reasons but it does not mean that the policies and programs would be changed," Elham was quoted by IRNA as saying. "The main policies will be followed up with a common approach."

He had worked as Iran's nuclear negotiator since 2005. Prior to that Larijani headed IRIB, the state-run broadcasting corporation.

"Larijani had resigned several times and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad finally accepted his resignation," IRNA quoted Elham as saying.

Washington insists Iran is seeking to acquire a nuclear weapon and has pushed the U.N. Security Council to impose stronger sanctions against the Islamic republic.

The Security Council is awaiting a report next month from the European Union's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, and the director-general of the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei, before moving ahead with a resolution that could impose additional economic sanctions on Iran.

Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful.

Solana and Larijani were slated to meet Tuesday in Italy -- a meeting that may still go forward if Larijani wishes, Elham said.

"Larijani may attend the talks. Jalili and Larijani, together, may participate in the meeting or Jalili may attend the talks alone," he was quoted as saying by IRNA. E-mail to a friend

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