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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Iran 'closer to nuclear weapon' | Iran 'closer to nuclear weapon' |
| (11 minutes later) | |
| Iran is moving closer to being able to make a nuclear bomb, the US envoy has told a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna. | Iran is moving closer to being able to make a nuclear bomb, the US envoy has told a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna. |
| Glyn Davies told the meeting Iran was nearly or already in possession of enough low-enriched uranium to produce a bomb, if it was further enriched. | Glyn Davies told the meeting Iran was nearly or already in possession of enough low-enriched uranium to produce a bomb, if it was further enriched. |
| Iran denies seeking anything beyond a civilian nuclear power programme. | Iran denies seeking anything beyond a civilian nuclear power programme. |
| It says it will present a package of new proposals to the group of six world powers negotiating over its programme. | It says it will present a package of new proposals to the group of six world powers negotiating over its programme. |
| The negotiations are taking place as the IAEA - the UN nuclear watchdog - holds a week-long meeting in Vienna. | The negotiations are taking place as the IAEA - the UN nuclear watchdog - holds a week-long meeting in Vienna. |
| 'Dangerous and destabilising' | 'Dangerous and destabilising' |
| "We have serious concerns that Iran is deliberately attempting, at a minimum, to preserve a nuclear weapons option," US envoy Mr Davies told the 35 nations on the IAEA board of governors. | "We have serious concerns that Iran is deliberately attempting, at a minimum, to preserve a nuclear weapons option," US envoy Mr Davies told the 35 nations on the IAEA board of governors. |
| "Iran is now either very near or in possession already of sufficient low-enriched uranium to produce one nuclear weapon if the decision were made to further enrich it to weapons-grade." | "Iran is now either very near or in possession already of sufficient low-enriched uranium to produce one nuclear weapon if the decision were made to further enrich it to weapons-grade." |
| He said this moved Iran "closer to a dangerous and destabilising possible break-out capacity" - the point at which it could create an atomic bomb. | He said this moved Iran "closer to a dangerous and destabilising possible break-out capacity" - the point at which it could create an atomic bomb. |
| On Tuesday, Iranian media reported that Tehran was preparing to present a new set of proposals to the global powers involved in talks over its nuclear programme - the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - Britain, China, France, Russia and the US - plus Germany. | On Tuesday, Iranian media reported that Tehran was preparing to present a new set of proposals to the global powers involved in talks over its nuclear programme - the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - Britain, China, France, Russia and the US - plus Germany. |
| Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told Fars new agency he hoped that "in the framework of this package we will be able to launch a new round of talks". | Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told Fars new agency he hoped that "in the framework of this package we will be able to launch a new round of talks". |
| But some observers believe Tehran might just be stalling for time, reports the BBC's world affairs correspondent, Peter Biles. | But some observers believe Tehran might just be stalling for time, reports the BBC's world affairs correspondent, Peter Biles. |
| President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is due to attend the UN General Assembly in New York later this month, and Iran's willingness to co-operate internationally is now under greater scrutiny than ever, he says. | President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is due to attend the UN General Assembly in New York later this month, and Iran's willingness to co-operate internationally is now under greater scrutiny than ever, he says. |
| Mixed report | Mixed report |
| The head of the IAEA, Mohamed Baradei, has said in the past that the threat posed by Iran is exaggerated. But on Monday he sounded a note of impatience, warning talks had reached "stalemate". | |
| The IAEA chief has sounded a note of impatience with Iran | The IAEA chief has sounded a note of impatience with Iran |
| "It is essential that Iran substantively re-engage with the agency to clarify and bring to closure all outstanding issues," he said. | "It is essential that Iran substantively re-engage with the agency to clarify and bring to closure all outstanding issues," he said. |
| In its latest report, the IAEA said a visit to Iran's Natanz plant in August had noted a reduction in the number of centrifuges used to actively enrich uranium. | In its latest report, the IAEA said a visit to Iran's Natanz plant in August had noted a reduction in the number of centrifuges used to actively enrich uranium. |
| But it also accused Tehran of a lack of co-operation with the IAEA on Western intelligence allegations of weaponisation. | But it also accused Tehran of a lack of co-operation with the IAEA on Western intelligence allegations of weaponisation. |
| Iran is continuing to enrich uranium in defiance of the UN Security Council, saying it has a right to a nuclear power programme. | Iran is continuing to enrich uranium in defiance of the UN Security Council, saying it has a right to a nuclear power programme. |