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Iran Waffles on Nuke Deal

Talks begin today as state news hints out-of-country enrichment deal won't fly

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 19, 2009 11:33 AM CDT

(Newser) – State news reports coming out of Iran suggest that country is backpedaling on a possible deal to enrich partially processed uranium in Russia or France for use in nuclear power plants. State-run television reports that the government is in fact opposed to shipping partially enriched nuclear fuel outside of the country, and would prefer to buy the final product outright. Talks between Iran and the West start today, the BBC notes.

The US and other nations hope the deal will stymie Iran’s nuclear weapon ambitions, which it denies having. Elsewhere, an aide to Iran’s nuclear negotiator echos the anonymous state news reports, at least in part. The country will continue to enrich uranium to 5% and “retain the techniques and technology of enrichment,” he says. More highly enriched fuel “we will buy under the supervision of the IAEA or indeed we will do the enriching ourselves.”

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, left, arrives for the opening of talks between Iran and six world powers to discuss the Islamic republic's disputed atomic program.
Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, left, arrives for the opening of talks between Iran and six world powers to discuss the Islamic republic's disputed atomic program.   (AP Photo)
Map with satellite image shows suspected nuclear site in Iran.
Map with satellite image shows suspected nuclear site in Iran.   (AP Photo)
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, left, welcomes head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei in Tehran.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, left, welcomes head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei in Tehran.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Nwambe
Oct 19, 2009 8:45 AM CDT
VERY good point, tran_tor; Iranians are envied in the region for being technologically adept and morally progressive, but the undercurrent of fundamentalism hiding as anti-Western sentiment can't really be brushed aside. They are certainly among the most moderate and modern of the populations of the Middle East, but groups like the Basij and their VERY public actions seem to speak otherwise.
tran_tor
Oct 19, 2009 7:32 AM CDT
Iranians happen to be some of the most educated, forward thinking people in the 'middle east' region. They'll probably become one of the better democracies if they survive their current leadership.
carol
Oct 19, 2009 6:06 AM CDT
Not surprised either. Peaceful gestures just may not work when we are dealing with Iran. Hope they don't make fools out of us and the rest of the world.

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