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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| UN nuclear watchdog presses Iran | UN nuclear watchdog presses Iran |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| The head of the UN atomic watchdog has urged Iran to accept a deal over its nuclear programme by the end of the year, and "move beyond sanctions". | The head of the UN atomic watchdog has urged Iran to accept a deal over its nuclear programme by the end of the year, and "move beyond sanctions". |
| Mohammed ElBaradei said the ball was "very much in the Iranian court". | Mohammed ElBaradei said the ball was "very much in the Iranian court". |
| He was speaking as the six major powers negotiating with Tehran were holding talks in Brussels. | He was speaking as the six major powers negotiating with Tehran were holding talks in Brussels. |
| They are discussing their response to Iran's rejection of a key part of a deal that would allow it to continue to develop a nuclear reactor. | They are discussing their response to Iran's rejection of a key part of a deal that would allow it to continue to develop a nuclear reactor. |
| A compromise suggested by Iran is likely to be rejected, correspondents say. | A compromise suggested by Iran is likely to be rejected, correspondents say. |
| Friday's meeting involves the UN Security Council's permanent members - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - plus Germany. | Friday's meeting involves the UN Security Council's permanent members - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - plus Germany. |
| The West fears Iran is trying to develop a nuclear weapons capacity. Iran insists its nuclear programme is for entirely peaceful purposes. | The West fears Iran is trying to develop a nuclear weapons capacity. Iran insists its nuclear programme is for entirely peaceful purposes. |
| Mr Mottaki suggested a deal that the West and Russia are likely to reject | Mr Mottaki suggested a deal that the West and Russia are likely to reject |
| Mr ElBaradei - who is standing down as head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 1 December - was speaking in Berlin. | Mr ElBaradei - who is standing down as head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 1 December - was speaking in Berlin. |
| "It is a unique opportunity to move from sanctions and confrontation to the process of building... trust," he said. | "It is a unique opportunity to move from sanctions and confrontation to the process of building... trust," he said. |
| "I believe frankly the ball is very much in the Iranian court," he added. "I hope they will not miss this unique but fleeting opportunity." | "I believe frankly the ball is very much in the Iranian court," he added. "I hope they will not miss this unique but fleeting opportunity." |
| On Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said his country had misgivings about the deal brokered by the IAEA. | |
| It envisages Iran sending about 70% of its low-enriched uranium to Russia and France, where it would be processed into fuel rods for a research reactor in Tehran. | It envisages Iran sending about 70% of its low-enriched uranium to Russia and France, where it would be processed into fuel rods for a research reactor in Tehran. |
| Mr Mottaki suggested Iran would instead agree to exchange its uranium for an equivalent amount of nuclear fuel, but only on its own territory. Tehran wanted to guarantee it would receive fuel it had contracted for, he said. | Mr Mottaki suggested Iran would instead agree to exchange its uranium for an equivalent amount of nuclear fuel, but only on its own territory. Tehran wanted to guarantee it would receive fuel it had contracted for, he said. |
| On Thursday US President Barack Obama said Washington and its partners would discuss "a package of potential steps" they could take if Iran snubbed a uranium enrichment deal. | On Thursday US President Barack Obama said Washington and its partners would discuss "a package of potential steps" they could take if Iran snubbed a uranium enrichment deal. |
| Mr Obama said Iran needed to get a "clear message" that, if it failed to take advantage of such opportunities, it was "making itself less secure". | Mr Obama said Iran needed to get a "clear message" that, if it failed to take advantage of such opportunities, it was "making itself less secure". |