Iran blasts West as nuke talks hit snag
Source: Agencies |
May 25, 2012, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
IRAN accused world powers yesterday of creating "a difficult atmosphere" that had hindered talks on its atomic energy program, signalling a snag in diplomacy to defuse fears of alleged Iranian effort to develop nuclear bombs.
The nub of the dispute appeared to be Iran's demand for fast relief from sanctions as part of any deal for it to stop higher-grade uranium enrichment, a pathway to nuclear arms, whereas Western powers insisted Tehran must first shut it down.
But there was no sign of either breakdown or breakthrough in the talks that European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, representing the six powers, and Iranian chief delegate Saeed Jalili extended well into a second day in Baghdad.
The main goal of the six big powers jointly negotiating with the Islamic Republic is an Iranian agreement to scale back its uranium enrichment in a transparent way to ensure it cannot be diverted to bombmaking.
An Iranian delegate who asked not to be named poured cold water on hints from Western diplomats that the sides appeared to be nearing common ground on ideas for an outline deal.
"What we heard in Istanbul was more interesting," he said. "We believe the reason (the powers) are not able to reach a result is America."
Tehran wants any nuclear deal to spare it from an EU embargo on its vital oil exports due to be phased in fully by July 1, a potentially crippling economic blow.
The nub of the dispute appeared to be Iran's demand for fast relief from sanctions as part of any deal for it to stop higher-grade uranium enrichment, a pathway to nuclear arms, whereas Western powers insisted Tehran must first shut it down.
But there was no sign of either breakdown or breakthrough in the talks that European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, representing the six powers, and Iranian chief delegate Saeed Jalili extended well into a second day in Baghdad.
The main goal of the six big powers jointly negotiating with the Islamic Republic is an Iranian agreement to scale back its uranium enrichment in a transparent way to ensure it cannot be diverted to bombmaking.
An Iranian delegate who asked not to be named poured cold water on hints from Western diplomats that the sides appeared to be nearing common ground on ideas for an outline deal.
"What we heard in Istanbul was more interesting," he said. "We believe the reason (the powers) are not able to reach a result is America."
Tehran wants any nuclear deal to spare it from an EU embargo on its vital oil exports due to be phased in fully by July 1, a potentially crippling economic blow.
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