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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Iran takes nuclear case to China | Iran takes nuclear case to China |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Iran's top nuclear official is holding talks in China amid signs Beijing may have relaxed its opposition to a new round of UN sanctions against Tehran. | |
| The US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, said China was ready to hold "serious" talks with Western powers on a new UN resolution. | The US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, said China was ready to hold "serious" talks with Western powers on a new UN resolution. |
| This would mark a policy shift for China, which has strong ties with Iran. China says it wants a peaceful outcome. | This would mark a policy shift for China, which has strong ties with Iran. China says it wants a peaceful outcome. |
| Western powers claim Iran seeks nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies. | Western powers claim Iran seeks nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies. |
| China has in the past expressed reluctance to see new sanctions imposed, and as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, along with France, the US, the UK, and Russia, it has the power to veto such a move. | China has in the past expressed reluctance to see new sanctions imposed, and as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, along with France, the US, the UK, and Russia, it has the power to veto such a move. |
| US President Barack Obama, meanwhile, has said he hopes to have sanctions in place "within weeks". | US President Barack Obama, meanwhile, has said he hopes to have sanctions in place "within weeks". |
| 'Tough sanctions regime' | 'Tough sanctions regime' |
| ANALYSIS Paul Reynolds, BBC News world affairs correspondent Until now China has stressed the need for further talks with Iran - but even China seems to accept these have not got anywhere. | ANALYSIS Paul Reynolds, BBC News world affairs correspondent Until now China has stressed the need for further talks with Iran - but even China seems to accept these have not got anywhere. |
| Chinese support for a new round of Security Council-led sanctions on Iran would increase the diplomatic and economic pressure on Iran, but would probably come with a price tag. | Chinese support for a new round of Security Council-led sanctions on Iran would increase the diplomatic and economic pressure on Iran, but would probably come with a price tag. |
| China has a veto in the council and, if it agrees to new sanctions, it is likely to say these should not be as severe as some would want. | China has a veto in the council and, if it agrees to new sanctions, it is likely to say these should not be as severe as some would want. |
| China has substantial contracts with Iran for the supply of oil and gas, so targeting the energy sector is out. | China has substantial contracts with Iran for the supply of oil and gas, so targeting the energy sector is out. |
| Likewise, China might be reluctant to disturb Iran's international trade, by imposing restrictions on re-insurance. | Likewise, China might be reluctant to disturb Iran's international trade, by imposing restrictions on re-insurance. |
| The most probable target is the business portfolio of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. | The most probable target is the business portfolio of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. |
| Making an arms embargo on Iran mandatory is also a possibility. | Making an arms embargo on Iran mandatory is also a possibility. |
| Beijing made the commitment to talks in a phone call on Wednesday, US officials told the Associated Press news agency. | Beijing made the commitment to talks in a phone call on Wednesday, US officials told the Associated Press news agency. |
| Ms Rice said the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China had agreed to begin drafting a UN resolution on Iran's nuclear programme. | Ms Rice said the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China had agreed to begin drafting a UN resolution on Iran's nuclear programme. |
| She told CNN: "China has agreed to sit down and begin serious negotiations here in New York with the others in the [group of six] ... as a first step towards getting the entire Security Council on board with a tough sanctions regime against Iran. | She told CNN: "China has agreed to sit down and begin serious negotiations here in New York with the others in the [group of six] ... as a first step towards getting the entire Security Council on board with a tough sanctions regime against Iran. |
| "This is progress, but the negotiations have yet to begin in earnest." | "This is progress, but the negotiations have yet to begin in earnest." |
| One group of six leader, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, had also spoken to Chinese officials, holding phone talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, AFP news agency reported. | One group of six leader, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, had also spoken to Chinese officials, holding phone talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, AFP news agency reported. |
| Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said President Hu Jintao would attend a summit on nuclear security in Washington later in the month. | Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said President Hu Jintao would attend a summit on nuclear security in Washington later in the month. |
| Mr Qin did not comment directly on Ms Rice's words but, in response to a question about them, said: "We have always and will continue to push for a peaceful settlement of this issue." | Mr Qin did not comment directly on Ms Rice's words but, in response to a question about them, said: "We have always and will continue to push for a peaceful settlement of this issue." |
| He added the standoff should be resolved by "diplomatic means". | He added the standoff should be resolved by "diplomatic means". |
| UN SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN Resolution 1737 (Dec 2006) - Ban on supply of materials and technology which could contribute to uranium enrichment or making of nuclear weapons delivery systemsResolution 1747 (Mar 07) - Prevents dealings with Sepah bank and 28 named people and organisations, bans arms imports from Iran and limits loans to humanitarian and developmental purposesResolution 1803 (Mar 08) - Asset restrictions, travel bans extended, sale of dual-use items banned, governments called on to withdraw financial backing for companies trading with Iran Iran - more sanctions after new defiance? Q&A: Iran and the nuclear issue UN sanctions against Iran | UN SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN Resolution 1737 (Dec 2006) - Ban on supply of materials and technology which could contribute to uranium enrichment or making of nuclear weapons delivery systemsResolution 1747 (Mar 07) - Prevents dealings with Sepah bank and 28 named people and organisations, bans arms imports from Iran and limits loans to humanitarian and developmental purposesResolution 1803 (Mar 08) - Asset restrictions, travel bans extended, sale of dual-use items banned, governments called on to withdraw financial backing for companies trading with Iran Iran - more sanctions after new defiance? Q&A: Iran and the nuclear issue UN sanctions against Iran |
| "China strongly values the nuclear security issue and opposes nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism," he said. | "China strongly values the nuclear security issue and opposes nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism," he said. |
| Meanwhile Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili arrived in Beijing for "bilateral talks and to discuss the nuclear issue", Iran's Irna news agency reported. | Meanwhile Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili arrived in Beijing for "bilateral talks and to discuss the nuclear issue", Iran's Irna news agency reported. |
| "The relationship between Iran and China is very important, and it is very important for our two countries to cooperate on all the issues," he told Iranian media. | "The relationship between Iran and China is very important, and it is very important for our two countries to cooperate on all the issues," he told Iranian media. |
| On Wednesday, US media reported an Iranian nuclear scientist had defected. | On Wednesday, US media reported an Iranian nuclear scientist had defected. |
| ABC News said Shahram Amiri had been resettled in the US and was helping the CIA try to block Iran's nuclear programme. | ABC News said Shahram Amiri had been resettled in the US and was helping the CIA try to block Iran's nuclear programme. |
| Iran accused the US of abducting him, but Washington has denied any knowledge of the scientist. | Iran accused the US of abducting him, but Washington has denied any knowledge of the scientist. |