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UN nuclear watchdog presses Iran | UN nuclear watchdog presses Iran |
(10 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. |
It is a unique opportunity to move from sanctions and confrontation to the process of building... trust Mohammed ElBaradei | |
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 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." |
'Clear message' | |
On Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said his country had misgivings about the deal brokered by the IAEA. | On Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said his country had misgivings about the deal brokered by the IAEA. |
NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE Mined uranium ore is purified and reconstituted into solid form known as yellowcakeYellowcake is converted into a gas by heating it to about 64C (147F) Gas is fed through centrifuges, where its isotopes separate and process is repeated until uranium is enrichedLow-level enriched uranium is used for nuclear fuelHighly enriched uranium can be used in nuclear weapons In depth: Nuclear fuel cycle | |
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. | |
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". |
But Russia has said there is still "every chance" of reaching a deal with Iran on enrichment, and denied that it had been discussing further sanctions with Washington. | |
During Mr Obama's recent visit to China he received no assurances that Beijing would support new sanctions against Iran at the UN Security Council. | |
France and the UK want Iran to accept the deal. | |
The UN Security Council has called on Iran to stop uranium enrichment and has approved three rounds of sanctions so far - covering trade in nuclear material, as well as financial and travel restrictions. |