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London to host Iran nuclear talks Ministers mull next steps on Iran
(about 3 hours later)
Officials from the six key world powers dealing with Iran's nuclear programme are to meet in London to discuss how to resolve the crisis. Foreign ministers from six key nations are to hold talks in London on next steps - and possible sanctions - in the row over Iran's nuclear activities.
The talks come after the EU said it has failed to convince Tehran to stop enriching uranium. The meeting comes after the EU said it had failed to convince Tehran to stop enriching uranium.
Several countries fear Iran is developing nuclear weapons, but Iran says its nuclear programme is peaceful. Several countries fear Iran is developing nuclear weapons, but it says its nuclear programme is peaceful.
The US and the UK have been pushing for sanctions against Iran, but Russia and China favour continued diplomacy.The US and the UK have been pushing for sanctions against Iran, but Russia and China favour continued diplomacy.
After a series of meeting with Iranian officials in recent weeks, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana told reporters he had made little progress. The UN Security Council members - the US, UK, France, Russia and China - plus Germany had offered Iran a package of incentives in return for the suspension of its uranium enrichment programme.
"The time of negotiations of course is not infinite," he said on Thursday. Iran's nuclear programme is popular with many in the countryBut Iran missed a 31 August UN Security Council deadline to stop work.
Britain's ambassador to the United Nations said the Security Council would likely be meeting next week to discuss sanctions. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Thursday that he had made little progress in talks with Tehran since then.
Incentives BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins says the major powers now seem to accept that Iran is not prepared to meet their demand for a halt.
Iran missed a 31 August deadline from the UN to stop enriching uranium or face possible sanctions. He says the most likely outcome of Friday's meeting, to be chaired by Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett, is that the UN Security Council would start talks on a resolution on initial, modest sanctions next week.
In return for compliance, the Security Council's five permanent members - the US, UK, France, Russia and China - plus Germany offered a package of incentives. 'Extreme measures'
When that did not work, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana was then given a chance to let diplomacy work. But there are sharp differences between the six countries attending the meeting on the proposed sanctions.
Iran's nuclear programme is popular with many in the countryEnriched uranium is used as fuel for nuclear reactors, but it can also be further enriched to make nuclear bombs. The US and the UK favour immediate punitive sanctions, but in order to win over Russia and China, they are believed to be considering a series of low-level sanctions as a first step.
Iran argues it needs nuclear power and insists its intentions are peaceful. Tehran says it will not give up its nuclear programmeThese would be what British officials describe as incremental, proportional and reversible.
There are sharp differences between the six countries meeting in London on how to deal with Tehran. They could include travel restrictions on Iranian officials and embargoes on missile and nuclear technology that could have dual civilian-military use.
China and Russia both have said diplomacy is still the best way to achieve a solution. But China and Russia both have said diplomacy is still the best way to achieve a solution.
On Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described sanctions as "extreme measures".On Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described sanctions as "extreme measures".
He said he would like to "see what extra possibilities exist to pursue multiparty diplomatic efforts".He said he would like to "see what extra possibilities exist to pursue multiparty diplomatic efforts".
'Not one iota'
Russia has built a nuclear power station in Iran and China relies on oil imports from the country.Russia has built a nuclear power station in Iran and China relies on oil imports from the country.
Tehran says it will not give up its nuclear programmeFrench Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said: "The door to dialogue will continue to be open whenever Iran chooses to suspend its nuclear programmes." Mr Solana said the door to dialogue with Tehran should stay open for now.
The US and the UK favour immediate punitive sanctions, but in order to win over Russia and China, they are believed to be considering a series of low-level sanctions as a first step. 'Not one iota'
These would be what British officials describe as incremental, proportional and reversible. Observers say the chief purpose of Friday's meeting, however, may be to clear the air between the powers, particularly between Moscow and Washington over Russia's current row with Georgia.
They could include travel restrictions on Iranian officials and embargoes on missile and nuclear technology that could have dual civilian-military use.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said Iran would not be intimidated and would not "give up one iota" of its nuclear work.Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said Iran would not be intimidated and would not "give up one iota" of its nuclear work.
Enriched uranium is used as fuel for nuclear reactors, but it can also be further enriched to make nuclear bombs.
Iran argues it needs nuclear power and insists its intentions are peaceful.