Western powers expect ’serious response’ from Iran during Oct. 1 meeting

Western powers expect ’serious response’ from Iran

UNITED NATIONS — The international community expects a “serious response” from Iran in discussions about Tehran’s nuclear program at a meeting next month, the British foreign secretary said Wednesday.

Six global powers are to hold talks with Iranian representatives Oct. 1 in Geneva. They seek assurances that Iran will back off suspected plans to obtain nuclear weapons. Iran’s president has said his country’s enrichment of uranium is not up for discussion.

Foreign ministers of the six powers met Wednesday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. British Foreign Secretary David Milliband said the group expects “a serious response” from Iran. If the talks yield no results, stronger sanctions against Tehran are being considered.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said that “it is time for Iran to engage with the international community.”