Iran sets sanctions terms for nuke deal
Source: Agencies |
June 19, 2012, Tuesday
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IRAN became more adamant yesterday that the world must remove the sanctions that are choking off its oil sales before it will curb activities that could be used to make nuclear weapons, diplomats said. The development dampened hopes that talks this week in Moscow could bridge the gaps between the two sides.
The diplomats said the Islamic Republic had asked the six world powers it is meeting in Moscow for discussions of "comprehensive sanctions relief" along with any consideration of their request that Tehran stop enriching uranium to a level that is just steps away from the purity needed to arm nuclear missiles.
The West countries suspect that Iran is enriching uranium to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran denies this, saying all of its nuclear goals are peaceful. But fears have been fueled by Tehran's refusal to stop enriching or accept uranium from abroad.
The diplomats said the morning session was inconclusive, with the sides no closer to agreement than at their last session in May in Baghdad, which ended with them far apart.
The six had hoped that Iranian chief negotiator Saeed Jalili would respond directly to their demand that his country stop enriching to 20 percent and related requests, said the diplomats, who demanded anonymity. Instead, they said he presented his side's conditions for meaningful negotiations, including a request for "comprehensive sanctions relief."
The talks are being convened by European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, and her spokesman, Michael Mann, said the six were ready to "address the issues" raised by Tehran.
The diplomats said the Islamic Republic had asked the six world powers it is meeting in Moscow for discussions of "comprehensive sanctions relief" along with any consideration of their request that Tehran stop enriching uranium to a level that is just steps away from the purity needed to arm nuclear missiles.
The West countries suspect that Iran is enriching uranium to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran denies this, saying all of its nuclear goals are peaceful. But fears have been fueled by Tehran's refusal to stop enriching or accept uranium from abroad.
The diplomats said the morning session was inconclusive, with the sides no closer to agreement than at their last session in May in Baghdad, which ended with them far apart.
The six had hoped that Iranian chief negotiator Saeed Jalili would respond directly to their demand that his country stop enriching to 20 percent and related requests, said the diplomats, who demanded anonymity. Instead, they said he presented his side's conditions for meaningful negotiations, including a request for "comprehensive sanctions relief."
The talks are being convened by European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, and her spokesman, Michael Mann, said the six were ready to "address the issues" raised by Tehran.
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