Expatica’s German news in English: Iran delays nuke talks with EU, new date set. (Hat tip: RadicalRon.)

BRUSSELS - Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani on Wednesday unexpectedly delayed long-awaited nuclear talks with the European Union by one day despite growing pressure for a quick response to last month’s international bid to ease the nuclear standoff with Tehran.

A statement by EU foreign and security chief Javier Solana - who was scheduled to meet Larijani in Brussels on Wednesday - said discussions with Larijani would now be held over dinner on July 6, with a further meeting set between the two men for July 11.

Solana said he was “surprised to hear that Larijani … has decided at the last minute to postpone his trip to Brussels as previously agreed with him to take place today.”

“I had made clear to the Iranians and Dr Larijani that we want to proceed rapidly to examine together the ideas I put to him early last month,” said Solana.

“I have just spoken to Dr. Larijani on the phone and we agreed that we will meet tomorrow in Brussels and that we will continue our discussions on July 11,” the EU chief diplomat added.

Iran’s news agency says the meeting was canceled because they were afraid of assassins.

TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran postponed key talks in Brussels between its chief nuclear negotiator and the EU foreign policy chief until July 11 for fear of hit squads, the state news agency IRNA reported.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, meanwhile, maintained a mid-July deadline for Iran to accept an offer of incentives aimed at curbing its nuclear ambitions and warned Tehran against stalling.

“After receiving some news from Brussels that there are assassins’ squads…, security officials voiced concern about the safety of the Iranian delegation” led by negotiator Ali Larijani, IRNA said.

“Therefore today’s trip of Mr Larijani and the accompanying delegation to Brussels was cancelled,” it added.

“After the European side gave the necessary guarantees to secure the lives of the Iranian delegation, it was decided that the session would be held next Tuesday,” said IRNA, quoting an informed source.