Updated

An Iranian senior lawmaker says the recent nuclear talks between Iran and world powers were effective.

The Sunday report by the semi-official ISNA news agency quotes Alaeddin Boroujerdi as saying that the talks were "considered effective and a step forward."

Boroujerdi, however, says Iran will never stop its nuclear program.

The West suspects Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran has denied the allegation.

Boroujerdi, who heads a parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, says the talks should be continued.

His comments are the first after talks on Friday and Saturday in Kazakhstan between Iran and permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany. The discussions did not lead to any breakthrough in resolving the standoff.