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Iran says nuclear deal is 'close' Iran says nuclear deal is 'close'
(about 4 hours later)
Iran's foreign minister has suggested that a final deal on exchanging nuclear fuel could be close. Iran's foreign minister has said it is closing in on a deal with world powers over its nuclear programme.
Speaking at a major security conference in Munich, Germany, Manouchehr Mottaki said a deal could be reached in the "not too distant future". In Germany, Manouchehr Mottaki said a deal to send enriched uranium overseas in exchange for nuclear fuel could be reached in a "not too distant future".
China, opposed to new sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear programme, said talks with the international community had reached a "crucial stage". China, opposed to imposing new sanctions against Tehran, said talks with the international community had reached a "crucial stage".
There was no reaction to Mr Mottaki's comments from Western delegates.There was no reaction to Mr Mottaki's comments from Western delegates.
The Iranian comments on the uranium issue came after Mr Mottaki decided to joint the Munich conference at the last minute and told a late-night audience that "conducive ground" on a nuclear fuel deal had been reached. The US and its allies fear Iran is attempting to develop nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful in purpose.
The Iranian comments came after Mr Mottaki decided to join the Munich conference - a major international gathering of security officials - at the last minute.
He told a late-night audience that "conducive ground" on a nuclear fuel deal had been reached.
"Under the present conditions that we have reached, I think that we are approaching a final agreement that can be accepted by all parties," he said."Under the present conditions that we have reached, I think that we are approaching a final agreement that can be accepted by all parties," he said.
"[The] Islamic republic of Iran has shown it is serious about doing this, and we have shown it at the highest level," he said."[The] Islamic republic of Iran has shown it is serious about doing this, and we have shown it at the highest level," he said.
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently indicated he would be amenable to idea of sending uranium abroad for enrichment. Diplomatic manoeuvring
The US, Britain and France have been pressing for more sanctions on Iran in recent months, a move unpopular in China. But Mr Mottaki did not mention the key issue of timing and insisted that the quantity of fuel involved should be up to Iran.
Making his first appearance at the annual Munich conference, China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said a better solution would be to "concentrate on consultation and dialogue". In January, diplomats said Iran had informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that it did not accept the terms of a deal agreed in October by Iran, the IAEA and the so-called P5+1 - the US, Russia, China, UK and France plus Germany.
Beijing's warning NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE Mined uranium ore is purified and reconstituted into solid form known as yellowcakeYellowcake is chemically processed and converted into Uranium Hexafluoride gasGas 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 class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/sci_nat/05/nuclear_fuel/html/mining.stm">In depth: Nuclear fuel cycle class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8495086.stm">Q&A: Iran and the nuclear issue
Also in Munich, Mr Yang also expressed Beijing's much-voiced anger at US plans to sell $6.4bn (£4bn) of arms to Taiwan. In response, the US, Britain and France have been pressing for more sanctions and earlier this week circulated a discussion paper on further possible measures against the country.
He said the arms sale - which includes Patriot anti-missile systems and Black Hawk helicopters - was "obviously a violation of the code of conduct between nations". The move came despite recent comments by Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad indicating that the country would have "no problem" sending much of its low-enriched uranium abroad so it could be processed into fuel - an arrangement envisaged by the October agreement.
"Of course, the Chinese government and the people have to react. It is within its sovereign right to do what is necessary. The BBC's Nick Childs, in Munich, said that Americans and others reacted warily to Mr Ahmedinejad's comments, which suggested that he now saw no problem over the accord.
Mr Yang said a more developed China was an opportunity to the world Some saw this as a tactic to derail the push for sanctions, our correspondent says, but it is also clear, he adds, that there has been some intense diplomatic manoeuvring over the stand-off.
"I think the Chinese people and the government of every region should feel indignant about this thing," he added. China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told the Munich conference that the P5+1 should remain patient and keep pursuing a diplomatic solution to the issue.
Beijing earlier warned of "serious harm" to relations between the two powers, the suspension of military contact and sanctions against the firms involved. "The parties concerned should, with the overall and long-term interests in mind, step up diplomatic efforts, stay patient and adopt a more flexible, pragmatic and proactive policy," he said.
Taiwan has been ruled by a separate government from China since the end of the civil war in 1949, but China still considers the island to be part of its territory. "The purpose is to seek a comprehensive, long-term and proper solution through dialogue and negotiations."
Reassurance
The BBC's Nick Childs, in Munich, described Mr Yang's appearance in Munich as a remarkable event.
The Munich conference, traditionally a Euro-Atlantic forum, sat in rapt attention listening to the top diplomat from China, a rising and increasingly assertive power, our correspondent says.
Mr Yang was the first person holding his office to address this gathering, with his appearance being seen as a sign of the new diplomatic times.
He offered some reassurance, our correspondent reports: a more developed China is an opportunity rather than a threat to the world, Mr Yang told delegates.
But he also reminded his audience that Beijing had a very decided view of what a stable, peaceful world should look like: a diverse one that refrains from interfering in countries' internal affairs.
Yes, China felt stronger, Mr Yang acknowledged, but also still weak in terms of development.