5 September 2013 Last updated at 10:52 ET
Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful ends
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the foreign ministry will take charge of nuclear negotiations with the West.
The move will give him more direct control over the talks, which have until now been conducted by the Supreme National Security Council.
The council is appointed by and answerable to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.
Correspondents say the change could herald a less hardline Iranian stance in the talks.
The change had been rumoured for several weeks.
Western countries fear Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons - a claim it denies.
Since 2007, Iran's delegation at nuclear negotiations has been led by Saeed Jalili, who was seen as highly loyal to Mr Khamenei.
Mr Jalili also stood as a presidential candidate at this year's election, on a platform perceived as espousing an aggressive policy abroad and limited political openness at home.
The move makes it likely that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will take over responsibility for talks.
Mr Zarif has experience living in and negotiating with the West, having previously been Iran's envoy to the UN, and is viewed as a political moderate.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the foreign ministry will take charge of nuclear negotiations with the West.
The move will give him more direct control over the talks, which have until now been conducted by the Supreme National Security Council.
The council is appointed by and answerable to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.
Correspondents say the change could herald a less hardline Iranian stance in the talks.
The change had been rumoured for several weeks.
Western countries fear Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons - a claim it denies.
Since 2007, Iran's delegation at nuclear negotiations has been led by Saeed Jalili, who was seen as highly loyal to Mr Khamenei.
Mr Jalili also stood as a presidential candidate at this year's election, on a platform perceived as espousing an aggressive policy abroad and limited political openness at home.
The move makes it likely that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will take over responsibility for talks.
Mr Zarif has experience living in and negotiating with the West, having previously been Iran's envoy to the UN, and is viewed as a political moderate.