Amid Pressure, Helping Iran on Nuke Power More Popular

Diplomats, legislators back idea of international enrichment; Bush again lashes out
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 10, 2008 2:45 PM CDT
Amid Pressure, Helping Iran on Nuke Power More Popular
A part of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is seen, some 750 miles (1,245 kilometers) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, April 3, 2007.    (AP Photo/ISNA, Alireza Sot Akbar)

Even as US and European leaders warned today of new sanctions, a controversial plan to help Iran build an internationally run nuclear enrichment facility is gaining traction in Washington, the Boston Globe reports. The Bush administration rejected the proposal from MIT scientists 3 years ago, but now legislators from both parties, as well as Iranian officials, think it could help break the deadlock.

Speaking at a summit in Slovenia today, President Bush said the Iranians, in ignoring international efforts to regulate nuclear facilities, have shown "they can't be trusted with enrichment." A joint statement from Bush and European leaders also said they were ready to take "additional measures" to supplement current nuclear sanctions, and aim to keep Iran from funding "proliferation and terrorism," the BBC notes. (More Iran stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X