Iran’s atomic negotiator Larijani resigns

Ali Larijani, who has fronted Tehran’s efforts to defuse as atomic row with the west, has resigned as Iran’s chief nuclear negotiation.

Saeed Jalili, deputy foreign minister for European and American affairs, was expected to replace Larijani, the official IRNA news agency said.

Larijani was set to meet EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in Rome on Tuesday for more discussions about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which the west said were aimed at building atomic bombs despite Tehran’s denials. Government spokesman Gholamhossein Elham, said Larijani’s replacement was expected to meet Solana as planned.